Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Ah my Friends, that bit of wisdom from Sol is so true, it isn’t funny. All of us have proved it to one extent or the other: Something untoward happens and we fly off the handle without considering our actions or the repercussions thereof, only to find out later on that we’d made fools of ourselves, because whatever set us off was either of no real importance, or our hasty, angry reactions caused serious problems for everybody. I know it’s not easy to always stop and consider our actions before rushing headlong into things, but it’s very important that we try, else we’re going to find ourselves often getting into unnecessary trouble. And to be true followers of Jesus, we must learn to be patient and control our hasty impulses, for it’s one of the basic tenets of His teaching. However, this fast moving world of ours hardly gives us time to stop and think about anything, it denies us time to make rational decisions, reactions are required asap; now for now. This might suit the evil purposes of the world, but it certainly leads to a lot of hasty, improper decisions. Oh people, we’ve got to learn to take time to think, and not simply succumb to our hasty impulses. Stop everything, even for a brief moment; take a time out and turn to God, and ask, ‘What now Lord?’ Friends, it’s the only way to cut out a lot of the negative reactions, for when we’re running around crazily, like chickens with our heads cut off, unfortunately, our emotions are always churning too at top speed, and very close to the surface. Under these circumstances, it doesn’t take much to trigger impatience and anger. But we can’t blame the fast paced lifestyle of our society for everything. As individuals, we also have to learn to take full responsibility for our actions. And the mind doctors will tell you, that when it gets down to the nitty gritty, nobody can make you angry, or cause you to do something you don’t want to do. In the final analysis, your reaction depends solely on you. Now, though this is all technically true, controlling our emotions in the face of what we consider adverse circumstances is not an easy task. It’s something we need to practice constantly. Repetition is the key to success, as it is in so many aspects of our lives. We’d be surprised if we slowed down for just a brief moment and considered our actions, the amount of negative pitfalls we’d eliminate. That’s because most of the time we get angry, the reactions are negative and the fallout from them not worth losing our cool. We don’t need any scripture to really point this out since it’s so prevalent, but, as for all aspects of living, the Good Book shows the right way. Listen to James: ‘Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:19-20) There it is Friends; in black and white! When we are hasty and too impulsive, we tend NOT to do the things that God desires of us. So there’s the best reason for not jumping the gun: If we LOVE the Lord, and desire to be obedient to His will, then we cannot afford to act too hastily, too often. And it baffles me why we’re still so hasty and impulsive, when there’s so much scripture that deals with wisdom and hasty actions, especially in Proverbs. Perhaps it’s just the nature of the beast? (smile) But that’s no excuse. And it’s not like we’re not aware of the tendency and its negative connotations. So to end, let’s view a few passages that point out the deficiency of hasty behaviour. ‘He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.’ (Prov.14:17) ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.’ (Prov.15:1) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.’ (Prov.16:32) The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.’ (Prov.19:11) ‘Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.’ (Eccl.7:9) ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.’ (Eph.4:31) ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.’ (Ps.37:8) And the greatest example people: ‘but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER and of great kindness.’ (Neh.9:17) ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, SLOW TO ANGER, and plenteous in mercy.’ (Ps.103:8) Oh Friends, can you imagine what would happen to us if the Lord was as hasty and impulsive as we are? I dread to think about it. But let’s all say, ‘Thank the Lord!’ that He’s not. We all know what to do, so let’s do it nuh, that it will be counted as righteousness on our behalf. Much LOVE!…only constant practice…makes perfect…
Ah my Friends, that bit of wisdom from Sol is so true, it isn’t funny. All of us have proved it to one extent or the other: Something untoward happens and we fly off the handle without considering our actions or the repercussions thereof, only to find out later on that we’d made fools of ourselves, because whatever set us off was either of no real importance, or our hasty, angry reactions caused serious problems for everybody. I know it’s not easy to always stop and consider our actions before rushing headlong into things, but it’s very important that we try, else we’re going to find ourselves often getting into unnecessary trouble. And to be true followers of Jesus, we must learn to be patient and control our hasty impulses, for it’s one of the basic tenets of His teaching. However, this fast moving world of ours hardly gives us time to stop and think about anything, it denies us time to make rational decisions, reactions are required asap; now for now. This might suit the evil purposes of the world, but it certainly leads to a lot of hasty, improper decisions. Oh people, we’ve got to learn to take time to think, and not simply succumb to our hasty impulses. Stop everything, even for a brief moment; take a time out and turn to God, and ask, ‘What now Lord?’ Friends, it’s the only way to cut out a lot of the negative reactions, for when we’re running around crazily, like chickens with our heads cut off, unfortunately, our emotions are always churning too at top speed, and very close to the surface. Under these circumstances, it doesn’t take much to trigger impatience and anger. But we can’t blame the fast paced lifestyle of our society for everything. As individuals, we also have to learn to take full responsibility for our actions. And the mind doctors will tell you, that when it gets down to the nitty gritty, nobody can make you angry, or cause you to do something you don’t want to do. In the final analysis, your reaction depends solely on you. Now, though this is all technically true, controlling our emotions in the face of what we consider adverse circumstances is not an easy task. It’s something we need to practice constantly. Repetition is the key to success, as it is in so many aspects of our lives. We’d be surprised if we slowed down for just a brief moment and considered our actions, the amount of negative pitfalls we’d eliminate. That’s because most of the time we get angry, the reactions are negative and the fallout from them not worth losing our cool. We don’t need any scripture to really point this out since it’s so prevalent, but, as for all aspects of living, the Good Book shows the right way. Listen to James: ‘Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:19-20) There it is Friends; in black and white! When we are hasty and too impulsive, we tend NOT to do the things that God desires of us. So there’s the best reason for not jumping the gun: If we LOVE the Lord, and desire to be obedient to His will, then we cannot afford to act too hastily, too often. And it baffles me why we’re still so hasty and impulsive, when there’s so much scripture that deals with wisdom and hasty actions, especially in Proverbs. Perhaps it’s just the nature of the beast? (smile) But that’s no excuse. And it’s not like we’re not aware of the tendency and its negative connotations. So to end, let’s view a few passages that point out the deficiency of hasty behaviour. ‘He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.’ (Prov.14:17) ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.’ (Prov.15:1) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.’ (Prov.16:32) The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.’ (Prov.19:11) ‘Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.’ (Eccl.7:9) ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.’ (Eph.4:31) ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.’ (Ps.37:8) And the greatest example people: ‘but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, SLOW TO ANGER and of great kindness.’ (Neh.9:17) ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, SLOW TO ANGER, and plenteous in mercy.’ (Ps.103:8) Oh Friends, can you imagine what would happen to us if the Lord was as hasty and impulsive as we are? I dread to think about it. But let’s all say, ‘Thank the Lord!’ that He’s not. We all know what to do, so let’s do it nuh, that it will be counted as righteousness on our behalf. Much LOVE!…only constant practice…makes perfect…
SCRIP-BITS 