Arguing

We will continue our character study this week and we will talk about arguing.  Our verse from today is from Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot tempered one commits many sins.

Have you ever known someone that just seemed angry all the time?  All of us have trouble sometimes with losing our temper but sometimes it is acceptable to be angry.    Can you think of a time it is acceptable?
It is acceptable to be angry about sin but we are to be responsible in how we respond when we are angry.

James 1:19 and 20 says to be slow in anger.  Again it does not say not to get angry but it says to be slow to anger.

Proverbs 29:11,20
A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back. Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
The problem with anger is that it may lead us to lose control of our conduct and lash out at others with foolish words or deeds that are intended to hurt others and may be regretted later. By contrast, a wise man will control himself, even when he is angry.
The Bible teaches that our words and deeds are controlled by our thoughts. We must learn to control our thoughts and emotions, because harboring sinful thoughts will lead to sinful conduct. [Prov. 4:23; Matt. 15:18ff]

In Genesis 37: 3-5 we read about Joseph and his brothers and how jealousy lead to conspiracy, lying and kidnapping but instead of Joseph getting all mad and holding grudges he forgave his brothers?  How do you think you would have reacted in this situation?

How can we control our temper:

 Matthew 4:1-11 - Jesus dealt with Satan's temptations by quoting Scripture.  So, if we find verses that will help us control our temper then we need to write them down and when we feel that we are close to losing our temper we need to read over the verses.