Posted on 01/19/2020 6:05:48 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression” (Proverbs 19:11).
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger,” to be discreet about things is to have careful judgment. If a man is careful, he doesn’t just become unglued and blow up about things. This is not to say a discreet man can hold off his anger forever, but it means that he won’t fly into a rage at the first instant that something upsets him. It is possible to be “angry and sin not,” according to Paul. There certainly comes a time when there are some things to be angry over, as long as there is a righteous cause for it. Jesus Christ certainly displayed His anger at the Pharisees and the money changers in the Temple.
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger,” or he is able to put it off for a time, that is, control it. This describes on that will “give place unto wrath.”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19).
“. . . and it is his glory to pass over a transgression,” to lose one’s temper is not a “glory” to him but a “shame.” When one passes over a transgression, he is like God: "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7:18).
It takes both wisdom and self-control to remain calm and collected and Christlike under fire and under pressure. It is this ability that enables him to “pass over a transgression of another”, which is said to be a “glory” to him.
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32).
Daily Bible study is necessary if we are going to begin our day with the right attitude and the right spiritual diet. Proverbs has 31 chapters, and most months have 31 days, so let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread! Ideally, a chapter or two of Proverbs will fit in nicely with a good plan of reading our Bibles through each year.
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