Proverbs 12:16
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A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
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Shame on you! What are you angry about? Why are you upset? What is all that bad? Why are you so bent out of shape? The goodness of God endureth continually (Ps 52:1)! A quick temper marks a fool, since prudent men avoid the shame of wrath by ruling their spirits. Be quick to hear, forgive, and serve; but be slow to speak and wrath (Jas 1:19)!
Wrath is vehement or violent anger; intense exasperation or resentment; deep indignation. Wise men, following the word of God, rule their spirits to keep from such feelings toward others, unless the cause is great and justifiable (14:17,29). "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (16:32).
Anger and wrath are powerful passions, and they make men say and do things they would not otherwise do. Therefore, they must be ruled, and ruled tightly. Moses angrily smote the rock instead of speaking to it, and the Lord kept him from entering Canaan (Num 20:7-13). Anger moved Saul to try to kill his own faithful son Jonathan (I Sam 20:30-34).
Not all anger is wrong, as Jesus only condemned anger without a cause (Matt 5:21-22). Of course, the modern perversions of the Bible, promoting an effeminate brand of Christianity, have omitted these words in order to condemn all anger. By so doing they have implicated God, our Lord, and all the holy prophets, apostles, and saints as sinners!
Paul further clarifies this important point, as he explains, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Eph 4:26). When anger does occur, you cannot let it cause you to sin; and anger should not be allowed to fester and turn into bitterness. The matter of provocation should be dealt with righteously and brought to a quick end.
But fools are quick to get angry, for no right reason. They prove they are fools by not ruling their spirits. Wise men rule their spirits and control their reactions to any situation. Fools react without thinking; wise men think before reacting. Fools are ruled by their anger; wise men rule their anger. And here is the lesson of the proverb. A prudent man will think first and avoid the shame of hasty anger causing him to act foolishly (Eccl 7:9). And a prudent man will avoid angry men, lest he get a snare to his soul (22:24-25).
Reader, rule your spirit, rather than letting it rule you. "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God" (Jas 1:20). It is impossible to be the child of God you should be, if you allow anger to burst from your heart and bring you to shame. There is no glory in anger and strife, regardless of how your flesh or Satan lies to you (Jas 3:14-16).
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