How should I deal with my own hostility?

Psalm 4:4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Psalm 37:8Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.

Proverbs 14:29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Proverbs 19:11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

Proverbs 29:11Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

Ecclesiastes 7:9Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.

Ephesians 4:26-27And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Colossians 3:8Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

James 1:19-20Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

In dealing with our own hostility, it is critical to recognize our anger and the dangerous consequences that that can come from it. A wise decision while angry would be to hold off on speaking too quickly or taking actions that we may later regret. And prayer can help us clear our thoughts and honor God with our actions.

Leviticus 19:18“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

Proverbs 24:29And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me! I’ll get even with them!”

Romans 12:17, 19Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. . . . Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.

1 Corinthians 13:5[Love] does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-7In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven.

1 Peter 2:12-17, 23Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. . . . Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king. . . . He [Jesus] did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

1 Peter 3:9Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

In hostile situationg, we may be tempted to retaliate, to get revenge. But revenge never makes things even, for one person always owes the other just one more response.

Proverbs 11:17Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.

Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

Mark 11:25“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Luke 6:27-36“Love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.”

2 Corinthians 2:5-11I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him. I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

1 Thessalonians 5:15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

When we are feeling hostile, we must choose to show love, kindness, and forgiveness. Then just watch as hostility softens in our own hearts and in others, too!