Triggered: Taming the Fire Within – Bible Study

TRIGGERED: Taming the Fire Within

We all get triggered by hurtful words, unmet expectations, or frustrating circumstances. But what we do next can either invite God’s peace or fan the flames of anger. This study dives deep into what Scripture says about anger and looking at its nature, its sources, and how to overcome it. You’ll be challenged to examine what fuels your reactions and invited to let God transform what’s been burning beneath the surface.

EXPOSING THE FIRE

Before we can tame the fire, we have to see it clearly. What does Scripture say about the nature of anger and how it shows up in our lives?

James 1:19–20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Ephesians 4:26–27
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire.

Colossians 3:7-8
In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Galatians 5:20–21
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Mark 7:20–23
And he said, ‘What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.’

Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

Proverbs 14:17
A man of quick temper acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated.

What stands out most to you about how Scripture describes anger?

Which verse challenged your current perspective or behaviour the most?

What do you think it means to “be angry and not sin” in practical terms?

WHAT FUELS THE FIRE

Anger doesn’t come from nowhere. Scripture exposes its hidden sources deep in our hearts, thoughts, and desires.

Matthew 15:18–19
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

James 4:1–2
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Romans 7:18–19
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Romans 8:6–7
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Titus 3:3
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Proverbs 21:24
“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Proverbs 13:10
By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Proverbs 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

What root causes of anger are revealed in these verses?

Which “fuel source” of anger do you struggle with most: unmet desires, fear, insecurity, control… ?

How does understanding the internal origin of anger begin to change the way you deal with it?

FROM FIRE TO FREEDOM

God doesn’t just call us to resist anger, He provides a way to overcome it. These verses reveal the path to peace, healing, and freedom.

Romans 12:17–21
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay.’ So if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Ephesians 4:31–32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Galatians 5:22–23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Philippians 2:3–4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Proverbs 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Romans 13:12–14
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Psalm 4:4
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

Hebrews 12:14–15
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Matthew 11:28–30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

How might you respond differently in future moments of frustration, based on these verses?

What do you need to surrender to God today in order to walk in greater peace and freedom?

Are you showing others what God is like in how you respond when triggered?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.