No one likes a distracted driver. It’s the woman looking down at her phone after the light has turned green. It’s the guy who cuts off the mom in a minivan while negotiating a business deal. Brakes squeal. The minivan driver lays into the horn. The person who has been waiting to get through the light lets out a few choice words and hand signals.
It’s easy to let frustration get the better of us on the road. But the reality is cursing at other drivers doesn’t get us where we are going any faster.
The same is true for any conflict we find ourselves in. To be angry is not a sin, but how we respond to anger can be. Proverbs 15:18 says, “A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Giving full vent to our anger doesn’t change the situation. In fact, it can make it worse.
Maybe you don’t express anger through gestures or words, but instead, choose to bottle it up. Holding anger in is just as sinful as blowing up. Unconfessed hurt turns to bitterness and resentment, which separate us from God and others (Psalm 66:18, Mark 11:25).
God knows the motives of our hearts; He is not fooled by outward appearances. As we share our struggles and open ourselves to correction, God frees us from sin. Correction may not be easy to hear, but the path without correction is far more dangerous. Proverbs 15:10 says, “Stern discipline awaits anyone who leaves the path; the one who hates correction will die.”
It is hard to allow someone to correct us. Pride tells us to be defensive and stand our ground, but through discipline, God draws us closer to Him.
Reflect: | |
|
| Proverbs 15:1 | A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. |
| Proverbs 15:2 | The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. |
| Proverbs 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. |
| Proverbs 15:4 | A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. |
| Proverbs 15:5 | A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. |
| Proverbs 15:6 | In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. |
| Proverbs 15:7 | The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. |
| Proverbs 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. |
| Proverbs 15:9 | The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. |
| Proverbs 15:10 | Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. |
| Proverbs 15:11 | Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? |
| Proverbs 15:12 | A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. |
| Proverbs 15:13 | A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. |
| Proverbs 15:14 | The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. |
| Proverbs 15:15 | All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. |
| Proverbs 15:16 | Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. |
| Proverbs 15:17 | Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. |
| Proverbs 15:18 | A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. |
| Proverbs 15:19 | The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. |
| Proverbs 15:20 | A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. |
| Proverbs 15:21 | Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. |
| Proverbs 15:22 | Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. |
| Proverbs 15:23 | A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! |
| Proverbs 15:24 | The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. |
| Proverbs 15:25 | The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. |
| Proverbs 15:26 | The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. |
| Proverbs 15:27 | He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. |
| Proverbs 15:28 | The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. |
| Proverbs 15:29 | The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. |
| Proverbs 15:30 | The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.
| Proverbs 15:31 | The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. |
| Proverbs 15:32 | He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. |
| Proverbs 15:33 | The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
|
|
