Text: Psalms 103:8-19
Memory text:
“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.”
Proverbs 14:29 NKJV
Have you ever experienced visiting a place and as soon as you alighted from the car, the dog began to bark at you profusely and violently shaking its kernel, as if it wanted to break out to attack you?
This is not the kind of life that God has called us to live. Rather than being easily irritated, hot tempered, and wrathful like the dog, God wants us to be slow to anger.
“…You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19 NLT).
Slowness to anger is one of the attributes of God. He is slow to anger in His relationship with us and in forgiving us (Psa 103:8, 145:8).
A person who is not slow to anger is impatient, hot-tempered, easily enraged, and wrathful. This character stirs up strife, contentions, and fights, but a man who is slow to anger, is patient, cool-tempered, averts arguments, and stops quarreling.
“A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.” (Prov 15:18 NLT). This ability to turn away wrath and live in harmony with others is a desirable virtue. He who is slow to wrath is more powerful than the mighty. He has great understanding, but the quick-tempered shows great foolishness (Prov 14:29; 19:11; 16:32).
One who gets angry quickly does not enjoy a place of peace. He is more comfortable where there is strife, fighting, wrangling, bitterness, and malice.
We are called to give peace where there is trouble. To achieve this, don’t talk like a dam with a broken water gate, where water gushes out unrestrained. Always learn to pause to consider your words. Pausing intermittently while speaking will help you to slow down, douse the tension, and turn away wrath.
Naturally, anger escalates when voices rise, resulting in harsh words. Some people argue that it’s their God-given temperament. No, you can communicate your view without necessarily raising your voice. You are called to live in moderation. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. ..” (Phil 4:5 KJV). The NKJV says, “Let your gentleness be known to all men…”. The NLT says, “Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do…”. To be moderate means you have to be gentle and considerate when you speak.
Friends, remember that you are an ambassador of peace, and you are called to peace. Be slow to wrath!
Prayer points
1. I renounce quick temper and wrathful spirit in me, and I embrace slowness to anger, patience, and peace in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, I receive wisdom and understanding to be slow to anger and to be moderate and gentle in my speaking, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I demonstrate great wisdom, understanding, and godliness when I am slow to anger.
2. I pause when I speak to consider my words, and I don’t escalate anger by raising my voice.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng