Proverbs 19
What does it mean to love someone as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40)?
1. It does not matter how another person treats you. Their behavior is not your standard, whether they behave in good or bad ways.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. —Proverbs 19:11
There are many times in our lives when we don’t want to be godly. We want to hate, be angry, not forgive, and be outright ugly. We want revenge and show we’re not ‘the one’ to mess around with. We allow our anger to take over and take the lead in our lives, but in these moments, we must set our sights on another way.
Job 16:17-22 – Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
As Job assures himself that he hasn’t committed any injustices, he looks for someone who would plead with God on his behalf rather than receive the scorn from his friends.
1. We often speak before pray…or think. Many times when our friends are struggling, in sin, or needing answers or help, we rush to share our opinion. When we rush to help, we can cause greater damage, even when we have the best intentions (Proverbs 19:2, 25:20). Therefore, it’s important that we first hear from the Lord on whether we should say or do anything. Who else better to speak with than God?!
Proverbs 19:11 – The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Some situations have the potential of making you very upset. In those moments, you often have a a few moments to consider whether you’ll defer your anger or not. So before you choose to allow your anger to take over, please consider the follow four thoughts:
1. A person of good discretion (understanding, prudence, insight) will defer their anger. When you feel wronged, anger is one of the emotions that fuel your intentions. You’re upset that we’ve been confronted, embarrassed, treated wrongly, etc. You want to show people you’re not a pushover and you were the wrong person to mess with…
James 1:2-4 – My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
When trying times (temptations) come, the last emotion or feeling most people have is joy. They want to receive a quick resolution, answer, promise, fulfillment, and closure of their situation. Patience is not an option.
Our society today doesn’t like to wait for a lot of things. Every request today needed to be answered yesterday. There is no time to wait.
Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don’t want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free.
Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don’t do, but the things you don’t want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul’s statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there without going any further. We continue to live in a cycle that goes from temptation-sin-repentance-temptation-sin-repentance and it never seems to stop. We want to get off the merry-go-round, but it doesn’t seem like we ever can. Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t God just take it away because He knows I want to serve Him. If I didn’t have this ‘sin’ issue, I could just run for Him.
There are many reasons why we make the decisions we do. When we look back at the outcome of some of the decisions we made, sometimes we can’t understand how we got into such predicaments, how to get out of them, or what we can do to live as God desires. Listed below is an outline of why we make the decisions we do; the consequences behind them; and how we can make good (and godly) decisions.
1. What consumes our decision making?
- Fear of Man (Proverbs 29:25; John 12:37-43)
- Motives (Proverbs 16:2; James 4:2-3)
- Friend of the World (1 John 2:15-17)
- Emotions (Proverbs 19:2)
- Sin/Temptation (John 3:19-21)
There may come a time in your life or ministry when things are going well. Everything is in its proper place and life is on ‘auto pilot.’ Then one day, a feeling comes over you that you should be doing something…anything. Where you are in your life is no longer OK. You need to change. You need to move…
Proverbs 19:11 – The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression.
1. People can do things that really make you mad! Whether it’s something on a personal or public level, their actions can really upset you. The translated definition for transgression is an (violated) action against individuals, nation against nation, or God.1 These violations can be based on your personal preferences, laws, or standards.
To use discretion is to decide or act according to one’s own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice.2 When anger (over any issue) wants to consume you, you have a choice. You can choose to be angry or choose to let it go. You don’t have to be angry!
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