Thought for the Day

Verse 16 - A fool is quick to speak whatever is on his mind. If insulted, he expresses his anger immediately. The Bible says that someone who does not control his tongue is a fool. Someone like this blows up easily and speaks their mind openly. A wise man ignores people's insults. A man filled with the Holy Spirit is cautious about what he says, and asks the Lord to fill his mouth with the right words. We all find ourselves in situations where others lash out at us and we want to retaliate, but hurtful words only compound a problem. Responding to hateful words with kind ones diffuses anger and avoids trouble. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger..." (Proverbs 15:1).

Being angry is not a sin. God Himself is angered by injustice, murder, and every other kind of wickedness. God hates sin because it destroys the people He created. We should be angry at the evil we see in the world. However, we must not hate wicked people, but rather their deeds and the source of evil. Satan and his demons, not people, are the real enemies. We must love sinners and pray that they will come to the knowledge of Christ and abandon their evil ways.

We are to confess our unrighteous anger to the Lord, and ask Him to deal with unjust situations, as He helps us to walk in righteousness and speak truth. God tells us to "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Many psychologists advise people to vent their anger by throwing something or shouting in a closed room. While this might temporarily help to relieve pressure, without the Lord, it will never get to the root of the problem. We must forgive those with whom we are angry and cry out to the Lord that His love and grace will prevail in the matter. Sometimes the Lord will lead us in an emotional release by crying, wailing, or even shouting in prayer at times. We must trust God to make things right for us, as we resist yielding to anger, resentment, or bitterness.

Verses 17-18 – We can bring wounding or healing with our mouths. How destructive and hurtful words can be! Proud or thoughtless words can pierce and wound the soul as deeply as a sword can pierce and wound the body. But those with godly wisdom release God's healing to inner wounds through their words of blessing.

Verse 19 – What we say will be established if we are honest and speak the truth in love. Liars may deceive others for a time, but eventually one's sin finds one out. Numbers 32:23 says, "…And be sure your sin will find you out." In the end, truth will triumph, for it is stronger than any lie.