Proverbs 14:29
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He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
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Are you hot tempered? Quick to get angry? It is the mark of a fool! You must get your spirit under control and keep it ruled, or you will destroy your life. Wisdom includes self-control and ruling your spirit. If you cannot govern your anger, you will say and do many very foolish things. Solomon's advice is to slow down and only get angry slowly.
Anger is not always wrong. God is angry at the wicked every day (Ps 7:11). The LORD was angry at Moses (Deut 1:37; 4:21), Solomon (I Kgs 11:9), and Israel (II Kgs 17:18). But God is slow to anger, which gives us our holy example and pattern (Ps 103:8; 145:8)!
Paul taught the Ephesians to get angry without sinning (Eph 4:26). Jesus condemned anger "without a cause" as worthy of judgment (Matt 5:22). Of course, this effeminate generation has removed these three words in modern Bible versions.
Moses was angry at Israel for worshipping a golden calf with a rock concert and nude dancing (Ex 32:19-29). The Lord Jesus Christ became angry against a crowd that did want Him to heal a man with a withered hand on the sabbath day (Mark 3:1-5).
But anger is rarely a helpful emotion. It usually causes overreaction, misreading circumstances, misjudging motives, acting without proper thinking, responding more severely than needed, speaking with excessive harshness, neglecting counsel, and getting priorities out of line. Therefore, a wise man will be very slow in letting anger develop.
Wisdom is the power of right judgment; understanding is correct comprehension. Both are compromised in proportion to the speed and intensity of anger. The faster you get angry, the less wisdom you have under the influence of that anger. The greater the intensity of your anger, the less understanding you have under its passion. Anger causes unnecessary fights and many sins (21:24; 26:21; 29:22; 30:33).
Quick anger is a common sin. Solomon warned against it often (14:17; 15:18; 16:32; 25:8,28; Eccl 7:9). James wrote that it was not compatible with righteousness (Jas 1:19-20). Paul told Timothy to ordain men to the ministry who were slow to anger (Titus 1:7).
Ruling your spirit is basic to wisdom and success (16:32). Anger begins in the heart, which must be kept with all diligence (4:23). Graciousness, longsuffering, and patience are a few names for the virtue of not getting angry quickly. And you must avoid angry men, for they will create a temptation for you to be like them (14:7; 22:24; I Cor 15:33).
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