Churning Butter, Bloody Noses, and Hot-tempered Men

Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

“Chronic” is an appropriate word to use when talking about patterns of anger because it best describes the kind of anger that I want us to think about in this post. Webster’s defines chronic as that which “lasts a long time” or “recurs often.” This is not to say that even an occasional outburst is not sin (Galatians 5:20), but I don’t think that is what the Bible means when it calls a person “an angry man.” There is an acceptable place for righteous anger (as demonstrated by Jesus in John 2:13-17), however, I think that it is rare and, even then, a believer must be very careful to remain under the control of the Spirit and not give in to the strength of the flesh.

Consider with me 9 reasons chronic anger is characteristic of a fool:

  • An angry man gives birth to an abundance of sin and other foolish deeds.

An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression (Proverbs 29:22).

A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil devices is hated (Proverbs 14:17).

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly (Proverbs 14:29).

  • An angry man feeds his lying lips and other deceptive behavior.

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool (Proverbs 10:18).

He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart.  When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.  Though his hatred covers itself with guile, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly (Proverbs 26:24-26).

  • An angry man causes strife among others.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions (Proverbs 10:12).

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention (Proverbs 15:18).

An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression (Proverbs 29:22).

For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife (Proverbs 30:33).

  • An angry man is often cruel and destructive.

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous (Proverbs 27:4, KJV).

[Jesus said]“You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ [Empty head] shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell” (Matthew 5:21-22).

  • An angry man is a bad influence on others.

Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself (22:24-25).

Let my soul not enter into their council; let not my glory be united with their assembly; because in their anger they slew men, and in their self-will they lamed oxen (Genesis 49:6).

  • An angry man brings trouble upon himself.

A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again (Proverbs 19:19).

For vexation slays the foolish man, and anger kills the simple (Job 5:2).

  • An angry man proves to all that he is also an undisciplined man.

Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit (Proverbs 25:28).

  • An angry man often tries to take God’s place as the final judge.

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord (Romans 12:19).

  • An angry man does not walk in the Spirit, but grieves Him instead.

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident…outbursts of anger (Galatians 5:19-20).

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:30-31).

This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20).

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