“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” (Proverbs 14:29, ESV)
There are dozens of examples of God’s anger in the Bible. God’s anger is always directed to stop sin, injustice, and evil. Because of this, I find it interesting that some preachers have said that “anger” is always wrong, always sinful. If anger is always a bad thing, why does God have anger at all? And, why do scriptures like Psalm 4:4 and Ephesians 4:28 say to “Be angry, but do not sin”? The Bible teaches us that righteous anger directed against sin, injustice, and evil is appropriate. God exhibits it! However, anger is a dangerous emotion. AND humans can make mistakes about what is at the root of anger. So, human beings can easily direct their anger in inappropriate ways and toward the wrong people. Satan even uses this to great effect, twisting facts and situations to make the righteous look wrong and evil people look right. Then, anger may be directed wrongly. God’s anger is always righteous, because God knows the hearts of all involved. God knows the hidden character and thoughts of the heart. God knows who really is at fault; God knows who is promoting evil; God knows who is ultimately right and wrong.
Because human beings are fallible, we need to be cautious when it comes to righteous anger. It is blessed to hold back your anger and seek the truth of a matter. Holding back your anger gives you time to discover the truth, to examine your motives and emotions, and to find the true source of your anger. Not lashing out in anger every time you feel you are wronged gives you time to pray about what is the truth and who is at fault. You may discover by holding back your anger that your own perspective was amiss, and your own emotions were making you blind to the truth!
There were times when God purposely held back HIS anger, giving time for people to repent and return to faithfulness. For example, Nehemiah described God as being “slow to anger” when the Israelites sinned in the wilderness during the time of the exodus from Egypt (Nehemiah 9:17). Joel described God as “slow to anger”, giving the people of Israel time to repent of their evil (Joel 2:13). Jonah 4:2, Nahum 1:3, Psalm 103:8 and many more scriptures define God’s character as one who is “slow to anger”. That is why James tells Christians to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Today’s scripture reinforces the notion that being “slow to anger” displays true faith. Proverbs 14:29 explains that “whoever is slow to anger has great understanding”. This scripture also sees a “hasty temper” as folly or foolishness. Nowhere in scripture are we told God was overly hasty with judgment or anger. That’s your indication that being slow to anger is the best course you can take in dealing with your emotions and suffering and trials and tribulations.
“A Christian lady owned two prize chickens that got out of their run and busied themselves in the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. The man caught the hens, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence. Naturally, the woman was upset, but she didn’t get angry and rush over and scream at him. Instead, she took the birds, dressed them out, and prepared two chicken pies. Then she delivered one of the freshly baked pies to the man who had killed her hens. She apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens in her own yard. Her children, expecting an angry scene, hid behind a bush to see the man’s face and hear what he’d say. But he was speechless! That chicken pie and apology filled him with a burning sense of shame. But she wasn’t trying to get even. Her motive in returning good for evil was to show her neighbor true Christian love, and maybe even bring about a change of heart.”
( H.V.L., “Our Daily Bread”, April 15 as quoted in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
This woman’s holy desire to be “slow to anger” resulted in a lesson for her children, her neighbor, and displayed true faith in God!
Another meditation from “Our Daily Bread” illustrates this further. There, this was written:
“An old Englishman, known as Father Graham in his village, was greatly loved because of his positive influence. One day an angry young man who had just been badly insulted came to see Father Graham. As he explained the situation, he said he was on his way to demand an apology from the one who had wronged him. “My dear boy,” Father Graham said, “take a word of advice from an old man who loves peace. An insult is like mud; it will brush off better when it is dry. Wait a little, till he and you are both cool, and the problem will be easily solved. If you go now, you will only quarrel.” The young man heeded the wise advice, and soon he was able to go to the other person and resolve the issue.
How often the tongue pours fuel on a fire that would go out if left alone!
Perhaps you have a problem with someone and have decided to “tell him off.” Why not wait? It’s easier to brush off mud when it’s dry. And pray for the one who offended you. It may dry the mud a little faster.”
(P.R.V., “Our Daily Bread”, September 12 as found in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 145:8, RSV) Are you slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love? Are you quick to fight back or do you hold back your anger in Christ-like love? Does your heart burn hot with anger when you are wronged? Does your temper cause you to say things you later regret? I find that holding my tongue when angry is a great way to work out my own issues and discover what God sees of my situation.
Because human beings are fallible, we need to be cautious when it comes to righteous anger. It is blessed to hold back your anger and seek the truth of a matter. Holding back your anger gives you time to discover the truth, to examine your motives and emotions, and to find the true source of your anger. Not lashing out in anger every time you feel you are wronged gives you time to pray about what is the truth and who is at fault. You may discover by holding back your anger that your own perspective was amiss, and your own emotions were making you blind to the truth!
There were times when God purposely held back HIS anger, giving time for people to repent and return to faithfulness. For example, Nehemiah described God as being “slow to anger” when the Israelites sinned in the wilderness during the time of the exodus from Egypt (Nehemiah 9:17). Joel described God as “slow to anger”, giving the people of Israel time to repent of their evil (Joel 2:13). Jonah 4:2, Nahum 1:3, Psalm 103:8 and many more scriptures define God’s character as one who is “slow to anger”. That is why James tells Christians to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
Today’s scripture reinforces the notion that being “slow to anger” displays true faith. Proverbs 14:29 explains that “whoever is slow to anger has great understanding”. This scripture also sees a “hasty temper” as folly or foolishness. Nowhere in scripture are we told God was overly hasty with judgment or anger. That’s your indication that being slow to anger is the best course you can take in dealing with your emotions and suffering and trials and tribulations.
“A Christian lady owned two prize chickens that got out of their run and busied themselves in the garden of an ill-tempered neighbor. The man caught the hens, wrung their necks, and threw them back over the fence. Naturally, the woman was upset, but she didn’t get angry and rush over and scream at him. Instead, she took the birds, dressed them out, and prepared two chicken pies. Then she delivered one of the freshly baked pies to the man who had killed her hens. She apologized for not being more careful about keeping her chickens in her own yard. Her children, expecting an angry scene, hid behind a bush to see the man’s face and hear what he’d say. But he was speechless! That chicken pie and apology filled him with a burning sense of shame. But she wasn’t trying to get even. Her motive in returning good for evil was to show her neighbor true Christian love, and maybe even bring about a change of heart.”
( H.V.L., “Our Daily Bread”, April 15 as quoted in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
This woman’s holy desire to be “slow to anger” resulted in a lesson for her children, her neighbor, and displayed true faith in God!
Another meditation from “Our Daily Bread” illustrates this further. There, this was written:
“An old Englishman, known as Father Graham in his village, was greatly loved because of his positive influence. One day an angry young man who had just been badly insulted came to see Father Graham. As he explained the situation, he said he was on his way to demand an apology from the one who had wronged him. “My dear boy,” Father Graham said, “take a word of advice from an old man who loves peace. An insult is like mud; it will brush off better when it is dry. Wait a little, till he and you are both cool, and the problem will be easily solved. If you go now, you will only quarrel.” The young man heeded the wise advice, and soon he was able to go to the other person and resolve the issue.
How often the tongue pours fuel on a fire that would go out if left alone!
Perhaps you have a problem with someone and have decided to “tell him off.” Why not wait? It’s easier to brush off mud when it’s dry. And pray for the one who offended you. It may dry the mud a little faster.”
(P.R.V., “Our Daily Bread”, September 12 as found in 10,000 Sermon Illustrations)
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” (Psalm 145:8, RSV) Are you slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love? Are you quick to fight back or do you hold back your anger in Christ-like love? Does your heart burn hot with anger when you are wronged? Does your temper cause you to say things you later regret? I find that holding my tongue when angry is a great way to work out my own issues and discover what God sees of my situation.