Proverbs 20:2-3, Handling Our Emotions!
December 23, Proverbs 20:2-3
1 Pet. 5:8-11; Col. 3:8-17 “Charity seeketh not her own; is not easily provoked.”
Handling Our Emotions!
Today, we consider how to deal with anger and fruitless arguments. It is a familiar theme, but its repetition is valid as well as vital. Ardent spirits are apt to be evil spirits. When you know where they are found, keep clear of their groundi
1. Anger-Keep Out! Beware of the Lion’s Lungs (2)! Keep clear of angry kings (19:12; 16:14)! Most of us don’t deal with such tyranny today, yet this proverb is still relevant to our times. It teaches that it is wise to stay clear of any angry person, king or commoner. We take king here as denoting any form of human authority (Eccl. 8:4). Maclaren suggests that king represents public opinion. This king today can’t impose death-at-will (Est. 1:12), but can bring real suffering into one’s life. “Government implies laws, and laws imply punitive sanctions. Behind all governments there is the power to take away property, comfort, liberty, rights, the existence of the disobedient. Terrible power this, and it is held by all constitutional governments” (Thomas). A good king should be a terror to evil doers (Rom. 13:3-4). Sadly, too often today, “wrong is on the throne and truth on the scaffold.” Or as another expressed it, “Truth lies in the cellar, error on the doorstep” (O’Malley). Whoso provokes this king to anger rouses a lion whose roar is terrible. Only conscience, submitted to God’s Word, has the right to challenge the laws of human government or public opinion, and say, “Let the Brute roar and never mind if you do forfeit your life.” It is your duty to say “No!”, though the entire world says, “Yes!” (2 Tm. 4:12). Be sure your provocation is worth risking your life for!
2. Arguments – Keep Down! Beware of the Brawler’s Bat (3)! It is an honour for a man to cease from strife. How important, then, is “self-control.” It is the honour of self-conquest. Cease is a verb meaning to sit, stand off from, or refrain. As someone said, “Let the glove flung down lie there while you walk away.” The root idea of meddling is to burst out, quarrel fiercely. So we are not only to avoid fruitless arguments, but to seek to resolve them, promptly and peacefully, if possible (Jas. 3:14; 4:1). There are so many ways that we can damage our relationships, but there is but one way to restore them. As we know, anyone can start an argument, but it takes someone wise to resolve issues and avoid strife (Eccl. 10:4). It is greater honour, literally, glory, never to take up arms or to lay them down again, and that quickly. When we spring to the defense of our own honour, we do ourselves a disservice. Recall how Abraham “stood tall” in his treatment of greedy Lot (Gen. 13:8-9). Again, recall Gideon’s honourable way with the men of Ephraim (Jud. 8:1-3) to that of Jephthah’s (Jud. 12:1-6). Would that we could “punish” our enemies by doing them good! Jesus appealed to us to, Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; pray for them that persecute you (Mt. 5:44).
Thought: “No conduct of any man may be neutral” (John Hus).
Prayer: Lord, that my life may honour Thee, as well as my words.