A Bad Temper is a Sign of Weakness
April 21, 2021
Commentary
The riches of a wise person tend to shine as a testimony of his wisdom. On the contrary, no matter what possessions a fool may possess, they are filled with folly and nothing he has can bring him any ultimate profit. People who witness in a court of law have a big responsibility and can have a great influence over other people’s lives. A man who witnesses to the truth may be able to deliver people from certain death at the hands of false witnesses (v. 25). A deceitful witness is in every way the opposite of the true witness. His heart and mouth are filled with lies which may send the innocent to prison or death.
The person who has learned to fear the Lord has laid hold of a great security and protection against a life of waste and ruin (v. 26). For a parent to have a fear of the Lord will also have a great influence on his children. People are a king’s greatest resource. If a king did not have anyone to rule, his title and position would be worthless (v.28). A big title with no meaningful responsibilities commands very little, if any respect from any one. A bad temper is always a sign of weakness (v. 29). Being patient under trying circumstances shows that a person has wisdom. The scriptures teach that the Lord has given to man the ability to be victorious over the circumstances of life.
Application
It reminds me of the time I lost my temper in a basketball game and knocked the ball out of a referees hand. The next day my school principal made me write a letter to the referee telling him I was sorry. It taught me a good lesson and I decided to control my temper from then on.
Proverbs 14:24– 29 (NET)
24 The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools is folly.
25 A truthful witness rescues lives, but one who testifies falsely betrays them.
26 In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and it will be a refuge for his children.
27 The fear of the Lord is like a life-giving fountain, to turn people from deadly snares.
28 A king’s glory is the abundance of people, but the lack of subjects is the ruin of a ruler.
29 Someone with great understanding is slow to anger, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.
Illustration: The Boy Who Lost His Temper
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. “You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like these holes in the fence. (Source Unknown).