Walking with the Wise #261: The Tempestuous Temper

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

Become a student of history and inevitably you will discover that wars do not always have pure causes or roots despite how history books present them. Oftentimes, the root of war is much more base or complex, because it is the result of a perceived or intentional slight, an assault on one’s pride, or some aversion to custom, tradition, or injustice (perceived or otherwise), or a personal assault on an individual’s or society's vested interest. And whenever there is a slight to one’s person, cause, or country, there is usually a response of anger and desire for vindication, which means the death and ruin of individuals or societies.

Solomon well understood the unpredictable and tempestuous nature of the temper. He knew that if a man could learn to control his anger, then he was greater than one who could wage war. Misunderstandings and perceived slights run rampant on this side of heaven, and the man who can control his temper is better than a man who simply flies off the handle. Not that we overlook every slight, because some do merit a response, but we evaluate the perceived slight slowly, carefully, making sure to ascertain the facts in the matter correctly, so that our response might be right in accordance with the truth.

Following Christ means having Christ grow up in us, bringing about the life of the Son of God, and making sure that we are controlled by the Spirit of the Lord and not our flesh. Our flesh brings about all kinds of vile and despicable things:

“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”—Galatians 5:19-21.

Instead, we are to be filled with the Spirit which brings about...

“…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”—Galatians 5:22-23.

Are you being led by the Spirit or are you at the mercy of your flesh? Do you control your anger or does your anger control you? Be filled with the Spirit and the Spirit will help you control your anger and grow within you the life of Christ who,

“When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly”—1 Peter 2:23.

Let the life of Christ flow through you, enabling you to control your anger so that God might be glorified in you. Amen.