A Quick Tempered Man Series

# 4. THE SLOW TO ANGER BECOME SIGNIFICANT PEOPLE, Proverb 16:32.

"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city."

To have control of your anger is better than to have physical strength or miliary skill. Those that develop self-control over muscle control always do better. The verb rules is first in the sentence and a present participle in intensive form. Thus emphatic, continuous, vigorous action is indicated.

In a land where safety depended on might and skill in warfare, this statement is surprising. Yet conquering oneself (rigorously controls his spirit; 14:17, 29; 25:28; 29:11) is an ability so great in God's eyes that it's more valuable than the ability to conquer an entire city.

The wise know how to turn the tide of anger as Proverbs 29:8 indicates. "Scorners set a city aflame, but wise men turn away anger." Troublemakers get others angry and incite rebellion. The wise, however, help calm an uprising by averting anger and its rebellious results.

# 5. PROVERBS 25:28 LOOKS AT ONE WHO CAN CONTROL HIS TEMPER.

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit."

A city without walls is a city without defense. When we are not in control of ourselves (14:17, 29; 16:32; 29:11) we are vulnerable to all kinds of attacks.

Proverbs 29:11 makes the same point. "A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back."A fool (kesîl; 1:7) readily gives in to anger, but a wise person maintains self-control. Keeps himself under control is literally, "calms it back" like stilling a storm (Ps. 65:7; 89:9).

# 6. THE SLOW TO ANGER HAVE DISCRETION, PROVERB 19:11.

"A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression."

A prudent, patient man is not easily upset by people who offend him. The word discretion refers to insight. You must first have insight to impart insight. An attitude of discretion makes it possible for a man to control his anger and see what should be done and how it should be done.

This type of man cannot only take some wrong done to him but is capable of overlooking it (12:16). To harbor resentment or attempt revenge only leads to more trouble. Overlooking them is his glory, that is, it is honorable You're a wise man if you don't give in to anger but instead pass over offenses.

# 7. LET A MAN OF ANGER SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES, PROVERB 19:19.

"A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again."

People learn better than to come to the rescue of an angry person. Like many undisciplined sons, he is unrepentant for his anger. Anger continually gets him in trouble and the only way he might learn is to go through the consequences for his anger.

IN CLOSING

Anger is a powerful emotion. Handled carelessly it creates divisions, it wounds people, it devastates relationships. Handled with deliberate control (Gal. 5:22-23) and Christlike anger can become a constructive force for relational growth and understanding.