The wise bring calm in the end
Proverbs 29:11 - Jesus is the embodiment of the self-control and wisdom we should all emulate.
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Proverbs 29:11 NIV
I guess I can count myself as both a fool and a wise man after this past week. I had a situation happen last weekend where I gave “full vent to my rage” in an email to a small group of people. I was doing volunteer work on a short deadline for a group of people who had conflicting goals, and I blew up in frustration. Fortunately I was wise enough to apologize to one person who mistakenly thought I was targeting her in the email… and everything was “calm in the end”.
King Solomon’s wisdom, captured here in the Book of Proverbs, is timeless and succinct. In this short proverb, he captured both the stupidity of being angry and the wisdom of resolving issues.
In the Bible, a “fool” refers to a person lacing wisdom and understanding, particularly about spiritual matters. The ancient Hebrew word used here — כְּסִיל, kᵊsîl — is defined as “stupid, silly” or “one who delights in not understanding”. In this context, it may mean a person lacking in morality or who acts without a thought for the consequences of that action.
Losing one’s temper is a lack of self-control, and Scripture frequently condemns the practice. Self-control was something that was valued in the ancient Israelite culture, to the point that venting anger was considered shameful. Throughout the Bible there are warnings about being quick to anger (Ecclesiastes 7:9 - “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” and James 1:19-20 - “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.”).
The foolish behavior of lashing out angrily contrasts with the fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (my emphasis).
What about the opposite of foolishness — wisdom? The Bible associates it with fear of the Lord and applying one’s knowledge in such a way that it honors God. A truly wise person restrains himself or herself, exercising self-control in full understanding of the harm that anger can incite.
This practice of self-control and patience is highlighted in Proverbs 16:32, “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city”. It’s better to trust God’s justice and His timing rather than taking matters angrily into one’s own hands.
A wise person demonstrates strength and maturity by holding back anger. Jesus was provoked many times during His ministry and usually responded with patience and composure. In those few situations where His response was angry (driving the vendors and moneychangers out of the temple, for example), it was righteous anger He displayed, and that’s a topic for future discussion. Jesus is the embodiment of the self-control and wisdom we should all emulate.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, grant me wisdom to hold my tongue and peace to calm my spirit. Help me to respond with patience and understanding, not with anger or haste. Fill my heart with Your discernment, that I may reflect Your love in all I say and do. AMEN.