Self Control

(Prov 14:29 NLT) People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

This morning we continue our series In this verse Solomon makes a connection between wisdom and self-control. He has already warned us against ‘flying off the handle.’ In chapter 12 he said, “A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.” This is basically what he is reiterating to us today.

When you operate in Godly wisdom you develop the ability to rule over your emotions; not allowing your emotions to rule over you. We all know people who get way upset, way too quickly. When you think of people like that your mind is probably not flooded with pleasant thoughts. People who easily lose self-control are not the image of Godliness.

The Good News Bible translation of this verse makes it very plain; it says: “If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.” I know that is harsh language, but that is the message Solomon is trying to get across. God is not pleased when you lose control. A quick temper can be like a fire that burns everyone is its path.

The issue is not anger, because even Jesus got angry, but the lesson here is not to operate in uncontrolled anger. We should never get to the point where we allow anger to get the best of us. Uncontrolled anger leads people to make hasty decisions that they will later regret.

We will all have to deal with unpleasant people and those who will seek to ‘push out buttons.’ But when you walk with God, when you have His wisdom operating in your life, and when you have His peace in your heart, you are able to remain patient under provocation and your patience will help you to deal with the adversity correctly. I know this is often not an easy thing to do, but in Christ you can do all things (Phil 4:13).

Solomon understood how difficult true self-control could be. Later in proverbs, in chapter 16, he said: “He that is slow to anger is better than he who is mighty; and he that rules his own spirit than he who takes a city.” (16:32). Here Solomon tells us that true strength is not exhibited in physical prowess, but rather with self-control. Sure, there are many who exhibit their might with their muscles, but can they control their temper?

To Solomon controlling one’s temper was the sign of true strength. He even said that the man that is able to rule over his own spirit (control his own self) is better than the one who is able to single-handedly conquer a city. Conquering the city is a sign of external strength, ruling your own spirit is a sign of inner strength.

Solomon’s point is that inner strength is more challenging and it should be what we all strive to attain.

So what does this mean to you? It means the Father wants you to be in control of yourself. What good will it do if you tell everyone that you are Christian, if you have Christian bumper stickers on the back of your car, if you put Christian quotes on the bottom of your email signature block, and you where a Christian T-shirt to company picnics, only to lose control of your temper at the drop of a dime? What kind of witness do you think that would be?

As a believer the first person you need to learn to lead is yourself!

Father, thank You for helping me to control my temper. Jesus was able to get angry without sinning; without losing control. I declare, by faith, that I am able to do the same thing. I control my spirit, I rule over my emotions, and I learn to lead myself well, before I ever attempt to lead others. I will not exhibit foolishness by having a hot temper, but I rather operate in Godly self-control. Even when I am provoked, I will maintain an inner peace, and Godly patience. My peace and patience will enable me to deal with the situation in such a way that brings glory to Your name! In Jesus’ name. Amen!