Joel M Bradshaw

[11] Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.—Proverbs 29

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20)

I once shared this proverb in a hot nursing home chapel that had two little air conditioners. Many wished that the AC units could give full vent to that cool air. It led to an easy follow up question about not always giving full vent towards our feelings. As usual, it was convicting to preach. Here are a few thoughts.

1. For anger to be considered “righteous,” it will have led you to produce fruit of the Spirit like patience or self-control.
2. There is nothing righteous about venting rage. There is no self-control when a person does this.
3. Rage is more about you and your selfishness than about the issue you are angry about.
4. It leaves damage to relationships and has no biblical excuse.
5. Anger properly dealt with ends in forgiveness and calm.
6. Which better describes you? Are you more like the fool or the wise?
7. My past times of rage have never honored God and have taken great effort to lead to calm.—JMB