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Proverbs 14:29 - Patient or Quick-Tempered.

Proverbs 14:29 (NKJV) He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29 (NIV) Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

INTRODUCTION

A nasty and quick temper can be like a fire out of control, burning us and everyone in its path. Anger divides people. It pushes us into hasty decisions that only cause bitterness and guilt. Yet anger, in itself, is not wrong. Anger can be a legitimate reaction to injustice and sin. When you feel yourself getting angry, look for the cause. Are you reacting to an evil situation that you are going to set right? Or are you responding selfishly to a personal insult? Pray that God will help you control a quick temper, channeling your feelings into effective action and conquering selfish anger through humility and repentance. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Slow Down!
   According to a 2019 survey by the American Automobile Association, nearly 80 percent of drivers became impatient behind the wheel at least once in 30 days. Aggressive behaviors included speeding in heavy traffic, driving too close to other vehicles, changing lanes abruptly or without signaling, running red lights, and honking at other drivers. These are the behaviors responsible for more than 60 percent of traffic fatalities.
   In the Old Testament, "slow to wrath" is one of God's primary traits (Psalm 103:8). Another translation in the KJV is "long suffering" (86:15). In modern speech, we call it "patience." Thus, a patient person "has great understanding" (Proverbs 14:29 NIV). In contrast, an "impulsive" person, "one who is quick-tempered" (NIV), "exalts folly."
   Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which means that those who "walk in the Spirit" (v. 16) will have His power to control their tempers. It's so easy to "lose it" when an 18-wheeler doesn't allow us to merge onto the freeway, or when an Oldsmobile clogs the fast lane. The impulse to smash the horn can be overpowering!
   More common than a fuming driver, however, is a burning tongue. All of us have experienced what James says, that our "tongue is a fire" kindled in hell (3:6), an "unruly evil" we cannot "tame" (v. 8). When dealing with difficult people, it's so tempting to vent our feelings (Proverbs 29:11). But the Holy Spirit can empower us to "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (1:19).
   Do you want to have "great understanding"? Dedicate your tongue to God as an instrument of righteousness (Romans 6:13). He will give you good words to overcome an enemy's evil ones (12:21).
   Heavenly Father, I cannot hold my tongue without the help of Your Holy Spirit. Please help me to be patient with others. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

COMMENTARY

The Danger Of Anger.
   These texts give us an extensive list of the dangers of anger. A wise person is patient with people, seeing extenuating circumstances and legitimate reasons that people misbehave. By contrast, the quick-tempered responds in rage rather than understanding, reducing everything to a simplistic black-and-white analysis (14:29). Anger creates greater conflict and destroys the good that cooperation and compromise can bring (15:18). While anger is not a sin in and of itself, it should be a passing thing, directed without excess to solve a problem, resulting in calm at the end (29:11). In the same way, God's anger is for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime (Psalm 30:5). Remember, uncontrolled anger is a "gateway drug" for many other sins (29:22). No other sinful emotion has led to so much violence and, literally, to so many dead bodies.
   Think of the actions and words you most regret. How many of them were done in anger?
   Father, I have seen relationships and lives ruined irreparably by anger. Yet denied, pent-up anger can be destructive. I confess that I deny my anger even to myself. Your anger against me was never wrong, and yet you put it aside through Jesus. Teach me how to heal my anger through Jesus as well. Amen. [God's Wisdom for Navigating Life by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller]

The Cost of Anger
   When someone is angry with you, it's easy to show anger in return. But before you allow yourself to get mad back, calculate what you're going to lose. Calculate the cost of anger.
   The Bible is very specific about uncontrolled anger. Proverbs 29:22 says, "An angry person causes trouble; a person with a quick temper sins a lot" (NCV). In Proverbs 15:18, you read, "Hot tempers cause arguments" (GNT). And Proverbs 14:29 says, "A hot temper shows great foolishness" (NLT).
When you let anger take control, there is a cost. You're going to get in trouble. You're going to sin. You're going to cause arguments. You're going to make mistakes.
   When you lose your temper, you always lose. You may lose someone's respect, the love of your family, your health, or even your job.
   Maybe you're someone who uses anger to motivate people to do the right thing. Don't do it! You may get the short-term payoff. But in the long run, anger always produces more anger, more apathy, and more alienation.
   How many kids have become alienated from a parent because of out-of-control anger? How many people have been alienated from a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a husband, a wife, or a friend because somebody lost their cool? Anger destroys relationships faster than anything else.
   If you realize there's always a price for returning anger for anger, you're less likely to get angry when somebody's pushing your buttons.
   So before you retaliate, ask yourself, "Do I really want to do this? Do I want to make mistakes? Do I want to sin more? Do I want to cause arguments? Do I want to act foolish?"
   Proverbs 14:29 says, "People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness" (NLT).
   Anger always comes with a price tag. Before you retaliate, calculate the cost. Then choose the wise path of controlling your anger. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

CLOSING THOUGHT

It's Smart to Be Patient
   Your life has an ebb and flow. Sometimes God wants you to move quickly, but sometimes he wants you to slow down. As Proverbs 14:29 says, "It's smart to be patient" (CEV).
   Today and tomorrow we're going to look together at times when God wants you to slow down.
   First, you should always move slowly when you don't have all the facts. Our culture worships impulsiveness and spontaneity. It tells us that spur-of-the-moment, "gut" decisions are the right ones.
   You've probably heard repeatedly to "follow your heart." But the Bible tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
   Feelings often lead us in the wrong direction. You need to rely on truth outside of yourself.
   The Bible is clear about that: "What a shame - yes, how stupid! - to decide before knowing the facts!" (Proverbs 18:13 TLB).
   So when you don't yet have all the facts, slow down. Don't rely on your gut, your heart, or your feelings. Take the time to look for objective truth outside of yourself.
   Another time to move slowly is when you're hurt, angry, or depressed. When we're upset, we tend to react and retaliate rather than acting wisely.
   James 1:19 says, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (NIV).
   Do you see the rhythm in that verse? It says quick, slow, slow. If you're quick to listen and slow to speak, you'll automatically be slow to become angry. But if you're slow to listen and quick to speak, you'll be quick to become angry.
   Proverbs 14:29 says, "Patience leads to abundant understanding, but impatience leads to stupid mistakes" (CEB).
   Proverbs 15:28 says, "The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking" (NLT). In other words, godly people put their minds in gear before their mouths.
   Proverbs 15:18 tells you what to do instead: "Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments" (CEV).
   Sometimes you're going to feel angry, hurt, or depressed. That's just part of life. But the next time that happens, slow down. Proverbs 15:18 says, "Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments" (CEV).
   Don't make quick decisions that you're going to regret.
   And the same is true when you don't have all the facts. Instead of just "following your heart," take the time to slow down and make a careful decision.
   Remember: It's smart to be patient. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Proverbs 16:32 - Patience And Self-Control Far Superior to Power That Can Conquer a City.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240507-0816.html

James 3:8 - We Need Christ For Speech Control.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220228-0931.html

James 1:2-4 - Let Trials Make You More Like Jesus.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240516-0911.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/