One of the traits that can destroy relationships in an instant is anger. Anger causes us to say and do things we never intended to say or do. Anger causes us to lash out in the moment, leading us to act in a way that we will ultimately regret later. In light of the negative impact of anger, if we want to have strong, God-honoring friendships, we must seek to be people who bring peace instead of anger and spend time around peace-makers instead of people who constantly act out in anger and teach the children in our lives to do the same.
We are warned in Proverbs 22 not to surround ourselves with people who are constantly angry. In this passage of Scripture, the writer of Proverbs 22 instructs us, saying, "Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people" (verse 24). This is a strong, straightforward command. Next, we learn from the writer of this Proverb why we are to stay away from angry, hot-tempered people. He continues, "Or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul" (verse 25). Indeed, much is at stake if we associate with angry people. We are subject to their anger and become influenced to also let our anger take over and lead us to sin.
In James 1, James calls us to live differently. Instead of surrounding ourselves with angry people and sinning in our anger, he calls us to be patient and understanding. He writes, "Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (verse 19). Instead of letting anger get the best of us, we are to listen quickly and speak slowly. This is the way we are to live, and these are the people we need to spend our time around.
When it comes to your own life, are you slow to speak and quick to listen or quick to get angry? Are you spending your time around people who are quick to get angry? May we be people who listen more, choose peace over anger, and surround ourselves with people who do the same, modeling for our children how to behave and who to spend our time around.
Take a few moments to pray for peace. Ask God to help you become an agent of peace instead of lashing out in anger. Pray for the children in your lives, too. Pray that they will become people who choose peace instead of lashing out in anger. Ask God to help you as you seek to raise them and teach them to carry God's peace instead of their anger.
1Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.
2 The rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord made them both.
3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
4 True humility and fear of the Lord
lead to riches, honor, and long life.
5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.
6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.
7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.
9 Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.
10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.
11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.
12 The Lord preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.
13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”
14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the Lord angry will fall into it.
15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.
16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.
17 Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.
19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the Lord.
20 I have written thirty sayings for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.
21 In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.
23 For the Lord is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24 Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,
25 or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.
26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.
27 If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.
28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.
29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
