Temper, Temper!
Ponder: The wisdom of holding your temper.
Scripture: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32, NKJV).
A short fuse is dangerous both in dynamite and in people. Though some think it is macho and smart to blow off steam with little or no provocation, God’s word teaches otherwise.
Fortunately for all of us, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” Psalm 103:8). Were this not the case, surely every one of us would be destroyed.
Whereas men may think having a quick temper is smart, the wise King Solomon said, “He who is quick-tempered acts foolishly” (Proverbs 14:17). Again he said, “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). And once more, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive [literally ‘short of spirit’] exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29). Someone wrote, “The emptier the pot, the more quickly it boils.” Let the quick-tempered take notice!
Nor is a short temper a sign of strength. To the contrary, it demonstrates that one lacks the power to control his passions. “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Remember, when steel loses its temper, it becomes weaker; the same is true of people.
A short temper is incompatible with God’s will in our lives. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19, 20). Blowing your stack only adds to air pollution.
Not all anger is wrong. “Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). While we must not be soon angry, we should be quick to let our wrath subside, even on those rare occasions when it may be justified. The heaviest thing a person can carry is a grudge.
Song: “Angry Words”
Prayer: Father above, help us to be like You – slow to anger. Please forgive us for those times when we have lost our tempers. Help us to hold our tempers and our tongues. Through Jesus we pray, Amen.
Joe Slater (Justin, TX)