by Marilynn Chadwick

"A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger quiets contention." Proverbs 15:18

Be slow to anger. The book of Proverbs has lots to say about the problem of anger. Over fifteen different verses warn of the dangers of an unbridled temper. Anger is described as foolish and destructive. Being slow to anger is a sign of moral strength.

So dangerous is anger that we're warned to steer clear of close friendships with hot-tempered people to avoid letting them influence our behavior. "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared" (Proverbs 22:24, 25 NIV).

Several verses in Proverbs give us a tutorial on how to avoid the anger trap. We're encouraged to replace anger with a virtue, such as patience:

Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly (Proverbs 14:29).
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12).
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10).
A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11).
Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin (Proverbs 17:19).

That last tip in Proverbs 17:19 gives me pause. I confess I've been known to enjoy "verbal jousting" at times. And friendly debates are not all bad. But it's good to remember that debates can become quarrels. I don't want to "love a quarrel," which this verse calls "loving sin."

Ancient Jewish rabbis were so aware of the potentially destructive nature of anger that they elevated the virtue of love even above the highly prized virtue of truth.

Anger can be bad for our health, cause us to make rash and unwise decisions, and even lose at war. Someone once advised soldiers to "never enter a sword fight angry." Proverbs 16:32 teaches that true strength is found in controlling one's spirit rather than winning an argument and a patient person is "stronger than a warrior."

Let's remember that God hates strife, especially in families and the family of God (Malachi 2:10). I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that love covers a "multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).