Proverbs 29:11 - Get Rid of Rage.
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV) A fool gives full vent
to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself
under control.
Proverbs 29:11 (NLT) Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back.
Proverbs 29:11 (MSG) A fool lets it all hang
out; a sage quietly mulls it over.
INTRODUCTORY THOUGHT
Wise people learn to control their emotions;
they remain calm even under stress. [NLT SB 2008]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Sometimes we feel justified in unloading
both barrels and giving someone a piece of our
mind, because we think that were in the right
on the subject.
So lets just say, for the sake of a
point, that we are right. Even if thats the
case, we don't have to scream at people. We
dont have to turn it into a major conflict. We
may rationalize it by saying were more
spiritual than the other people, so we need to set
them right.
But if youre really a spiritual
person, if youre really a godly person, then
youll be a humble person. Youll also be a
loving person - not someone whos filled with
anger and rage.
I have no doubt that social media feeds
this. I think we spend way too much time looking
at our phones and tablets and following our
favorite websites, which inflames us.
Yet as believers, we should show love and
forgiveness. And if we dont, well grieve the Holy
Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God. Therefore, its
not only possible to grieve the Holy Spirit, but
its also possible to lie to the Holy Spirit,
resist the Holy Spirit, and insult the Holy
Spirit.
The apostle Paul wrote, And do not
bring sorrow to Gods Holy Spirit by the way you
live. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger,
harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of
evil behavior (Ephesians 4:30-31 NLT).
The Bible says that a person who loses
his temper is a fool (see Proverbs 29:11). And
Jesus said, Your love for one another will
prove to the world that you are my disciples
(John 13:35 NLT).
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to
love others and be at peace. When Christians love
one another, its a powerful witness to a lost
world. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
COMMENTARY
Not All Anger Is Sinful
Many people think that all anger is
sinful, but thats not true.
Anger only becomes sin when it is
expressed in an inappropriate way.
Sometimes the most appropriate response
to a situation is anger. It can even be an
expression of love. In fact, the Bible says God gets
righteously angry, and the only reason you're able to
experience anger is because you're created in his
image.
But there is such a thing as sinful
anger. This is when we blow up or clam up. Its
when we threaten, insult, or belittle someone.
While mismanaged anger is a sin, managed
anger is an asset because it gives you a
clear-headed view of the situation and allows you to
respond with Gods love - even if youre
wronged.
Because God is for you and not against
you he gives you the ability to choose how to
handle your anger. With the Holy Spirit working
within you, you can control it.
Have you ever been in a heated argument
at home, and the phone rang and you answered it
by sweetly saying, "Hello." What just happened?
You were able to change your tone instantly
because you wanted to.
Proverbs 29:11 says, "Fools vent their
anger, but the wise quietly hold it back" (NLT).
Choosing to get angry is just that - a
choice. Youve probably said at some point, "You
make me so mad!" But nobody can control your
emotions without your permission. You can decide
beforehand how you will respond and manage your anger.
Your relationship to Christ will
determine how well you master the anger in your life.
Even in a crisis, in the most difficult of
situations, you can manage your anger with God's love
inside you.
And when anger is managed wisely and
appropriately, it produces great marriages, great
friendships, great businesses, great leaders, and great
progress. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
When Youre Angry, Slow Down and T.H.I.N.K.
You can save yourself a lot of pain and
heartache if you follow one simple rule: Slow down
when youre angry or hurt.
The Bible says, Everyone should be
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become
angry (James 1:19 NIV).
Yet, usually we do just the opposite.
Were quick to speak, slow to listen, and swift to
become angry. Thats backward! But if you do the
first two parts of the verse - being slow to speak
and quick to listen - the last part will be
automatic. Youll find yourself becoming angry less
often and less naturally.
This is an important principle the Bible
emphasizes over and over again:
Proverbs 14:29: Patient people
have great understanding, but people with quick
tempers show their foolishness (NCV).
Proverbs 15:28: Good people
think before they answer. Evil people have a quick
reply, but it causes trouble (GNT).
Proverbs 15:18: Losing your
temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm
settles arguments (CEV).
How can you slow down and think before
rushing to an angry response?
Use the acronym T.H.I.N.K. to remember
these five important questions to ask before you
react in anger.
T: Is it truthful? Is what Im
about to say the truth?
H: Is it helpful? Or will it
simply harm the other person?
I: Is it inspirational? Does it
build up, or does it tear down?
N: Is it necessary? If its not
necessary, why do I need to say it?
K: Is it kind? Will it encourage
or discourage?
Its not enough to only slow down when
youre angry. You also need to take the extra time
to T.H.I.N.K. about what to say or do next. Try
it, and youll see how a slow, calm response
will help bring peace to a conflict. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/ re James 1:19]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Proverbs 16:32 - Patient and/or Powerful?
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190506-1105.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
