S102P8 – Simmer down now: wrath begets wrath

Pro. 14:16-17

A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Her wrath had been her calling card for years.  The industry might have been competitive, but her office was not necessarily so.  Those who worked under her never could figure out exactly why she seemed to be angry all the time.  She had high standards for her employees and was the kind of person who did not believe in first drafts.  Her expectation was that every piece of work that crossed her desk would be complete and ready for print.  Eventually, this big paper would be swallowed up by an even bigger paper, and she would find herself not on the top but closer to the bottom.  It was a big adjustment for her, having never had to answer to anyone until then.  She thought her anger would work with those above her as it did with those below, but she would find herself outmatched by the lack of grace she received as a result of this approach.

You can catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Some people take this little idiom to suggest manipulation of our communications with people in order to get what we want.  We know that manipulation is not what the Lord teaches us.  For us, the idiom rings true in that practicing wrath toward others can give us no expectation other than receiving wrath in return.  This is a simple case of reaping and sowing.  We have to wonder what we could possibly think would result from not bridling our anger and instead unleashing it on others.  We could not expect anything good from that approach.  Sure, some might respond to a person’s wrath by acquiescing, but that is the product of fear and can lead to the contemplation of revenge.  To deal with others wrathfully is to create division and a breeding ground for hatred and disdain.

This idea of reaping and sowing is really about spiritual prosperity.  We have the option and the power to tear down strongholds by exercising godly character that will multiply as we continue to practice it more and more.  Likewise, we have the option and free will to rebuild and fortify those strongholds by exercising that which is evil and ungodly.  Unbridled anger is no small issue for us individually or corporately because the spiritual implications are vast.  This is about what we are building for the Father’s kingdom.  When we abandon his ways and give in to wrath, we have started building for the wrong power.  Father, make us conscious of what we produce with our words and actions so that we would abandon anger and choose to continue building for your kingdom.