Proverbs 19:11

The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Somebody once said that the last man to get angry in an argument wins. The assumption here is that any form of anger or indignation is always inappropriate, and the person who is not the least affected by emotion is the cool, even-tempered, most-persuasive logician. This is a bit over-simplified for the lesson at hand. Passion does have a place in human existence, even a passion rooted in conviction and a love of the truth. But when men are governed by hot emotions, they are not governed by a love for God. Certainly we should not equate love for God to the emotion of anger. These are not the same thing. Occasionally, a love for God might produce indignation toward some injustice, such as when Jesus overturned the moneychangers’ tables in the temple. But any form of indignation apart from a love for God is self-centered irritation and can only be described as sinful anger. Moreover, emotion untempered and undirected by careful and thoughtful consideration of the circumstances in the situation, and the principles of God’s Word that apply, will inevitably result in unwise words and actions. The man of discretion will defer anger as much as possible. As James puts it, the wise man is quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (Jas. 1:19). When he sets out to overturn the tables in the temple, he does so after careful preconsideration of his actions, with a full understanding of the perceptions and risks related to what he is doing. So we find Jesus taking the time to make a whip of cords, deliberately planning out his actions.

People are always sinning against each other. This is the nature of human relationships. That is why forgiveness is part of the warp and woof of life. When Jesus told His disciples that they must forgive 490 times, He was by no means exaggerating. It is possible that you may have to forgive somebody as many as 490 times in a single month! Most sins are minor and should drop off of us like water off a duck’s back. Occasionally, we may have to lovingly confront a brother in the manner prescribed in Matthew 18:15–17. But you have to be careful with this. If you confronted every single person in your life every time he sinned, you would be confronting people all day long. Moreover, others would have to confront you constantly as well. How would you like that to happen? We must be patient with others, and treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves. And nobody wants to be confronted with his own sin on a continual, perpetual basis. Much of our lives must be taken up with overlooking minor sins and faults. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. It takes an honorable, magnanimous man to overlook the sins of others and learn to work with fallible, sinful human beings.

Proverbs 19:12

The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass. 

Imagine you are camping out in the brush of wild Africa, and you hear a lion’s roar just a few yards from where you sit. Can you think of anything more frightening? Grown lions are intimidating animals, but an angry lion in close proximity to you and your comrades is an almost unthinkable horror because the potential for destruction to life is real and imminent. So it is with angry kings.

Some may remember those sardonic lyrics from a popular song of the rebellious 1960s—“I fought the law, but the law won.” Generally, it does no good to provoke a king to wrath (Prov. 20:2). When a Christian must conscientiously disagree with the policy of a company or a country, he does so at his own risk. Civil disobedience is only a temporary measure. Should a magistrate forbid you from preaching the Gospel in a certain town, you may have to flee the wrath of the civil magistrate to other cities or countries.

On the other hand, if the heart of the king or the civil magistrate turns in favor toward your mission work, you may be able to establish churches or Bible studies in those companies or countries without fear of reprisal. Thanks to the First Amendment in the United States Constitution, there has been relative peace and freedom for those who wish to preach God’s Word and establish churches in this country. The favor toward churches has been as nurturing as the dew on the green grass in the springtime.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of the indications that a man is sinning in anger?

2. How can you explain the fact that Jesus’ actions in the temple did not constitute sinful anger?

3. Is there ever a time when we must disobey the civil magistrate?

4. How has our country provided favor to those who love God and worship Him?