Control Your Anger Christian, Proverb 14:29

Today's commentary is about anger and how, so often, it gets the better of us all. As Christians, we are to be in control of our faculties at all times. Yet we are all guilty of losing control at times. We are told to be patient and understanding, because a quick-tempered personality is a sign of foolishness.

A patient man has great understanding,
but a quick-tempered man displays folly. Proverbs 14:29

We all have the power to chose how we will react in any given situation. When we are expecting something and it didn’t happen, we must accept it and always think positive. Be flexible, and as much as possible remain calm and don't get angry. An explosion of anger at any situation never solves the problem, it just exacerbates it.

Paul tells us that it is OK to be angry, but not to sin.

"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26

Good luck, because people who get angry usually do sin. Not to say you can't, it's just that the anger moves you closer to sin. One aspect of anger is assessing blame towards whoever is guilty of making you angry. Which can be another sin. What if your wrong in who's guilty? Then you are guilty of a false accusation. Soon the sins start piling up. In the state of anger, it's almost impossible to be in our right mind. That’s why it's never advisable to make decisions during a state of anger. When it comes to friends and relatives, nothing can destroy relationships quicker than out of control anger.

Often times we are more honest with those we are the closest to. In moments of anger, we are so blind with rage that we bring things up that have nothing whatsoever to do with what made us mad. We do it just to get a dig in, or an edge in the argument. In a marriage, spousal abuse is always proceeded by anger. Even if it doesn't get physical, the anger it'self becomes the abuse.

In the passage above, Ephesians 4:26, we are told that we should never go to bed angry at anyone, and it especially is true in a marriage. Now I believe that a husband and wife should always walk away and calm down before they try to make amends, but be sure to settle the problem before you go to sleep. Space and time alone will always bring a person back to a calm state of mind where things can then be logically worked out.

Satan knows that, like him, human's have pride. It destroyed him, and he uses it to destroy us. He uses our disagreements and misunderstanding to create problems between humans by tapping that pride inside us. Proverbs 29:23 tells us that;

A man's pride will bring him low,
But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

We should always keep in mind to never commit a sin. So we need to Learn the art of controlling our temper. Count from 1 to 10 to let negative emotions subside, walk away and remove yourself from the presence of that which has angered you. If it's something so glaring that the emotional stress is too much, then go to your prayer closet and pray for the Lord to calm your heart and help you gain control over the situation.

As Christians, we are told that we are the light of the world. (Ephesians 5:8) So we need to shed that light on others, not darkness and hate. We need to learn to not get easily upset over foolish and petty things. We are told that we are to give our problems to God.

Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22

Have faith that He will do what is right by you. Just as any parent would do for a child, whom they sacrificed another one for. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son so that you may have life.(John 3:16) How much more evidence do you need to know He will do what is best for you? So give it all to Him, and allow the Holy Spirit that dwells inside you to you remove the anger and hate. Remember, we are children of God, and that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

All this is much easier when you understand that we live in the Spirit, and thus we should always walk in the Spirit. Something that becomes much easier when we practice the fruits of the Spirit. So crucify your flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to do the driving. Galatians 5:22

Look, I would be telling a huge lie, if I said I do not struggle with anger. My emotions often times get the best of me. Hey, I'm a work in progress, and I often times find myself on my knees asking God to forgive my stupid foolish self. However I'm confident, that He who has begun a good work in me will complete it until the day our Lord returns in the heavens as He promised. (Philippians 1:6)

So when your temper comes rising, close your eyes, slowly inhale to fill your lungs, then slowly exhale and give it to Him. Chill out brothers and sisters, and ask the One who defeated Satan, to help you see past that which has taken control your emotions. One day, you will master the ability to control your temper.

I pray that you all have the strength and faith to look to Him for help, and that those things which Satan uses to destroy your joy, will be smoothed over by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Below are a few Scriptures to remember and meditate upon for those times when you feel your anger getting the best of you.

A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. Proverbs 15:18 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 A kindhearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth. Proverbs 11:16 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:4 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

Proverb 14 (NKJV)

The Ways of Life and Death

01 The wise woman builds her house,
00 But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

02 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD,
00 But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him.
03 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
00 But the lips of the wise will preserve them.
04 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
00 But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
05 A faithful witness does not lie,
00 But a false witness will utter lies.

06 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
00 But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
07 Go from the presence of a foolish man,
00 When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
00 A young man devoid of understanding,
08 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
00 But the folly of fools is deceit.
09 Fools mock at sin,
00 But among the upright there is favor.
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
00 And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
00 But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
00 But its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
00 And the end of mirth may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
00 But a good man will be satisfied from above.
15 The simple believes every word,
00But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
00 But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
00 And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18The simple inherit folly,
00 But the prudent are crowned with knowledge
19 The evil will bow before the good,
00 And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
00 But the rich has many friends.

21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
00 But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
00 But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
00 But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
00 But the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness delivers souls,
00 But a deceitful witness speaks lies.
26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
00 And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
00 To turn one away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is a king's honor,
00 But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.

29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
00 But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

30 A sound heart is life to the body,
00 But envy is rottenness to the bones.

31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
00 But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.

32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
00 But the righteous has a refuge in his death.

33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
00 But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
00 But sin is a reproach to any people.

35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant,
00 But his wrath is against him who causes shame.