Topical Bible: Anger: Be Slow To

◄ Anger: Be Slow To ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Anger is a powerful emotion that, if not controlled, can lead to sin and discord. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should manage their anger, emphasizing the importance of being slow to anger. This principle is rooted in the character of God and is a mark of wisdom and understanding.

Biblical Foundation

The exhortation to be slow to anger is found throughout Scripture, highlighting its significance in the life of a believer. James 1:19-20 instructs, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage underscores the importance of patience and self-control, aligning one's behavior with God's righteousness.

Proverbs 14:29 states, "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly." Here, patience is equated with understanding, while a quick temper is associated with foolishness. This wisdom literature emphasizes the value of restraint and the dangers of hasty anger.

The Character of God

God Himself is described as being slow to anger, a trait that reflects His mercy and grace. Exodus 34:6 reveals, "The LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: 'The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth.'" This divine attribute serves as a model for believers, encouraging them to emulate God's patience and love.

Practical Application

Being slow to anger involves cultivating a spirit of patience and forbearance. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." This passage acknowledges that anger itself is not inherently sinful, but it must be managed carefully to prevent sin and division.

Believers are called to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which enables them to respond to provocations with grace and wisdom. Proverbs 16:32 further illustrates this principle: "He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city." This comparison highlights the strength and honor found in self-restraint.

Community and Relationships

In the context of community and relationships, being slow to anger fosters peace and unity. Colossians 3:12-13 encourages believers to "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving each other." Patience and forgiveness are essential in maintaining harmonious relationships and reflecting Christ's love.

Warnings Against Quick Anger

The Bible warns against the dangers of quick anger, which can lead to destructive behavior and broken relationships. Proverbs 29:22 cautions, "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." This warning serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked anger.

In summary, the biblical call to be slow to anger is a directive that aligns believers with the character of God, promotes wisdom, and fosters healthy relationships. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to exercise patience and self-control, reflecting God's love and righteousness in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Titus 1:7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 1:19
Why, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Strong's Hebrew

750. arek -- long
... longsuffering patient, slow to anger. From 'arak; long -- long(-suffering, -winged),
patient, slow (to anger). see HEBREW 'arak. 749, 750. arek. 751 . ...
/hebrew/750.htm - 6k

Library

The Patient Teacher, and the Slow Scholars
... Now let me say a word about the slow scholars. ... There is, first, His scholars' stolid
insensibility, which moves Him to anger, to astonishment, and to grief. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the patient teacher and the.htm

What God is to Us.
... he is not hard to be entreated. Who is a God like unto him, slow to anger,
and of great mercy? He is long of being provoked, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ix what god is.htm

Mercy, Omnipotence, and Justice
... Adam, where art thou?" Yes, the Lord was slow to anger, slow to write the sentence,
even though the command had been broken, and the threatening was therefore ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/mercy omnipotence and justice.htm

Psalm 103:4. 8-18. Second Part. SM Abounding Compassion of God; Or ...
... 1 My soul, repeat his praise Whose mercies are so great, Whose anger is
so slow to rise, So ready to abate. 2 God will not always ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 103 4 0 8-18 second part.htm

Psalm 103 Part 2 Abounding Compassion of God; Or, Mercy in the ...
... My soul, repeat his praise,. Whose mercies are so great,. Whose anger is so
slow to rise,. So ready to abate. God will not always chide; ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 103 part 2 abounding.htm

April 11 Morning
... My beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath."He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/april 11 morning.htm

The Locust-Swarms
... weeping, and with mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn
unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xx the locust-swarms.htm

Psalm 145
... in him compassions flow; In mercy he is very great,. and is to anger slow. ^9The
Lord Jehovah unto all. his goodness doth declare; And over all his other works. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 145.htm

Psalm 145
... Compassionate is he also; In mercy he is plenteous,. But unto wrath and anger slow.
^9Good unto all men is the Lord: O'er all his works his mercy is. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 145 2.htm

Psalm 145:1. LM The Greatness of God.
... 3 Thy truth and justice I'll proclaim; Thy bounty flows, an endless stream, Thy
mercy swift, thine anger slow, But dreadful to the stubborn foe. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 145 1 0 l m the.htm