Mature Obedience
Slow to Anger – Part 3
Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-15
Key Verse: James 1:19
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
The Proverbs of Solomon remind us: “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs” (Proverbs 19:11). God gave Solomon more wisdom than any man on earth. Solomon understood the critical need for wise people to control their temper. There is an old saying, “our tempers get us in trouble and our pride keeps us there.” I think most adults understand the turmoil and harm anger causes when it goes uncontrolled.
The good news for all believers is: God gives His children a spirit of self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Like all gifts from God, it is our responsibility to use the gifts provided to us! God never takes our free will away from us, so we can, unfortunately, leave God’s gifts on the shelves and operate by our flesh. However, if we are determined to walk in the Spirit, we will glorify God and bless the people around us!
When our temper is heating up, the Spirit of God gives His early warning lights! We must heed these early warnings if we plan to control our temper. In these early moments of getting mad, we can take a deep breath; take a walk; count to ten—whatever helps us allow God’s Spirit to rule over that situation. As we do our part, God will do His part and we can be sensible people who control our tempers. Don’t listen to the devil’s lies; you can do all things in Christ!
Father, I will control my temper today. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that lives in me, that will help me. In Jesus’ name, amen.