Men, women, children, families, church leaders, and other people around the world have suffered from anger. I knew of a gentlemen, that meant well in all that he did, but he would become quite angry, quickly. Usually, he would get mad over the smallest of things. We all may know someone like that. You may ask them, why were you so angry? Why would you want to say those things? Why did you do that? I’ve heard the person give the excuse, “but, it happened so fast.” Unfortunately, after everything is said and done, the outcome is usually worse than if they had been more patient and thought things through a little better. James 3:1-10 presents great advice for the dangers of the tongue. Patience is not in everyone, but everyone can learn it over time.
We often look to the apostle Peter, for his example in various matters. In the garden, when Christ was about to be arrested, as a result of Judas’ betrayal; when Peter cut off the ear of Malchus (John 18:10). Peter meant well, in that, he believed that he was defending Jesus, however, Christ needed to fulfill the prophecy of himself (Isaiah 53:7). Peter did not think things through at the time. We may not always think things through about everything, ourselves. Paul, writes, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness, and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). To be longsuffering means to be slow to anger or to be patient.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Pro.16:32). Several times in Scripture, God is said to be slow to anger. “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power…” (Nahum 1:3). “The LORD is merciful and gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 103:8). Peter writes, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9).
Paul gives us advice on what we should do, if we are to follow Christ. “But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8). “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:12-13).
Stephen