S) "24 Do not associate with a man given to anger;
Or go with a hot-tempered man,
25 Or you will learn his ways
And find a snare for yourself."
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NASB)
O) This is a pretty heavy warning. Like many of the warnings in the Proverbs, there is no room for negotiation here. By saying, "you will," there is no argument about this outcome. On 05/31/2014, I wrote briefly about how to become a man who is slow to anger. This is a reminder about how easy it is to become quick to anger. It's important, I think, that the instruction is not to "associate" with easily angered person. The underlying message, here, is that anger is contagious, and people are impressionable (despite our denials).
A) Even at my worst, I was not prone to a lot of foul language. During the time I was backslidden, I didn't really care what God thought of my language, but I was still working an office job, and Kristin (now my wife) was put-off by bad language, so I was not often cussing. There was a specific exception, though: When I played the fighting videogame, "Tekken" (especially the third game). Most often, I was playing with other people (my brother mostly, or a few friends). When I played that game, especially against my brother, my language went straight-vulgar. It wasn't so much that I was deeply angry at my brother (or any particular opponent), but that game, and the company I had while playing it, drew me to be very, very hot-headed. In the years since, by the grace of God, I have a better hold over my tongue, even when playing that particular game. However, it serves as a very real reminder, just how true this verse is. I am so thankful that the seriousness of my exposure was only ever about a videogame (again, by the grace of God!). If I want to continue to strive toward a slow-to-anger character, I need to be very conscious of the company I am keeping.
A) Even at my worst, I was not prone to a lot of foul language. During the time I was backslidden, I didn't really care what God thought of my language, but I was still working an office job, and Kristin (now my wife) was put-off by bad language, so I was not often cussing. There was a specific exception, though: When I played the fighting videogame, "Tekken" (especially the third game). Most often, I was playing with other people (my brother mostly, or a few friends). When I played that game, especially against my brother, my language went straight-vulgar. It wasn't so much that I was deeply angry at my brother (or any particular opponent), but that game, and the company I had while playing it, drew me to be very, very hot-headed. In the years since, by the grace of God, I have a better hold over my tongue, even when playing that particular game. However, it serves as a very real reminder, just how true this verse is. I am so thankful that the seriousness of my exposure was only ever about a videogame (again, by the grace of God!). If I want to continue to strive toward a slow-to-anger character, I need to be very conscious of the company I am keeping.
P) Father, continue to work on my patience, especially as it pertains to my anger. I want to be compassionate and slow to anger, just as You are, Lord. Please reveal to me, any negative influences in my life. Forgive me for my anger, where it does not belong. Help me continue to submit myself to Your authority and sovereignty, to trust You to handle what might be true injustices, because I am not called to right every wrong, or correct those around me. Help me to be a godly example, of striving to reflect Your character, especially when it comes to anger. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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