Proverbs 15:18 (KJV)
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth
strife.
This angry man referred to above is famous for his stew! He keeps a pot boiling all the time and is ready at any given moment to stir it up and then serve some to you. As a matter of fact, he habitually forgets to turn off the stew! What makes a wrathful person so prone to stirring up strife? Well, for one, he simmers over the hurtful things said and done to him in the past.
Secondly, he refuses to shut off the flame of anger and bitterness and keeps those fires burning within himself continually. Therefore, he is easily agitated at the shortcomings of others. He converts to a rolling boil with little difficulty or increase in heat.
Proverbs 29:22 (KJV)
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
How often do you serve hot stew to your family members, dear lady? For those of you who are married, may I ask your husband first?? Every workingman likes to come home to a hot meal, but certainly not this kind! He does not need a wife that is easily scalded over the slightest mistake he might make, amen? You may think you aren't harboring any bitterness towards him, but how are you usually found reacting to your husband - warmly and lovingly, or steamed and blisteringly hot? If so, the real issue isn't the argument you are having at PRESENT, but rather the ones you have had in the PAST - and never forgiven him for! Bear in mind that even a crockpot on a low setting can still come to a boil... If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen and get on your knees and ask God to help you overcome this sinful way of life so that you can serve something besides hot stew at your house! Perhaps then your husband won't be so afraid to "kiss the cook" and will be less desirous of finding another place to eat! Which is, in fact, a reaction for which God would not fault him…
Proverbs 25:24 (KJV)
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling
woman and in a wide house.
On the other side of the spectrum however, as pointed out in our scripture today, the even-tempered man is commended. He is the kind of person who carefully controls his emotions and is not prone to quarreling. What helps him not to simmer in his own juices? There are 4 behavioral ingredients he never forgets to put into every relationship in his life as a result of his love for others:
1). "doth not behave itself unseemly"
2). "seeketh not her own"
3). "is not easily provoked"
4). "thinketh no evil"
Ladies, I hope you have every one of these ingredients stocked in your heart’s cupboard today! Do you know where the even-tempered man found them? In 1 Corinthians 13:5 - and there's plenty left for you too! You see, God has stocked our spiritual cupboards full of useful ingredients, but will you apply them?? Will you add the necessary behavior to a heated dispute?
Proverbs 20:3 (KJV)
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be
meddling.
James 1:19-20 (KJV)
Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to
speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness
of God.
Ladies, don't fly into a rage unless you're prepared for a rough landing! That is certainly not God's way of producing righteousness. Hotheads are doomed for destruction. Memorizing scripture verses such as the ones above greatly help us to overcome any desire to spout off to others needlessly, for we will come to understand that the very work of the Holy Spirit is at stake when strife is present! You DO want the Holy Spirit to be able to work in you, in your marriage, and in your home, don't you?? How about setting the mood then, paving the way for God’s Spirit by creating a peaceful atmosphere at your place for a change! While the wrathful man is an accident waiting for a place to happen, the man who is slow to anger brings a peaceable demeanor to strife-laden situations. For which demeanor are you most famous? Perhaps you've been serving too much hot stew lately... Instead of serving angry words, try swallowing them and see how you like the taste of them!! Don't let the devil hurry you along into an evil work. If you're bent on striving, strive to make your home a quiet home - a world of strife shut out, a world of love shut in!
James 3:16 (KJV)
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
