Overcoming Sin through Christ

Temper

Have you ever been acquainted with a person who was known to have a temper?  We hate to spend much time with someone who has a tendency to display a hot temper and angry disposition.  Such a person is out of control, refuses to think rationally, allows the flesh to dominate his mind and body, permits his emotions to dominate, and loses much of his or her reasoning ability and good sense.  It is simply hard to interact with such a person who has this sinful attitude. We all know the tendency of some very young children to have “temper tantrums” in which they can’t be reasoned with or disciplined but throw themselves on the floor in uncontrollable anger and belligerent fits of temper.  We are focusing on adult problems with the temper here.

Temper refers to “a tendency to become easily angry or irritable. . . . An outburst of rage.”[1] It refers to “habit of mind, esp. with respect to irritability or patience; disposition. . . . heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment.”[2]  Other words that we think of when someone has a “problem” with his temper would be anger, rage, fury, wrath, irritation, peevishness, churlishness, and ferment.[3]  Since the Christian is to be even-tempered, gentle, calm, and patient, we can see that having a temper has no place in his or her life.

Scripture does have something to say about this matter of our temper.  Paul was fearful that the Corinthians would display “angry tempers” and thus need to repent (2 Corinthians 12:20-21).  It is nearly impossible to reason with one who has an angry temper.  The apostle also says that “outbursts of anger” are sinful for this would be a deed of the flesh that prevents one from inheriting the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21).

Proverbs also says much about the temper and keeping one’s spirit under control.  We read that “a fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back” (29:11).  This definitely shows the sinfulness of losing one’s temper, something that some people are prone to do, even on a regular basis.  Thus, we can “lose” the temper through anger, but we can “hold the temper back” by having the proper attitude toward it and a loving attitude that is controlled by the Spirit.

Solomon says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city” (16:32).  He also observes, “He who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (17:27b).  The man who has a hot temper utters foolishness, but the one with a “cool spirit” has understanding.

We also read, “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit” (Proverbs 25:28).  Like a city that has walls that are broken down and defenseless, is one who gives rein to his spirit and doesn’t have control over his emotions.  We are also warned against fellowship with or close association with the hot tempered person: “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself” (22:24-25).  This problem with one’s temper can be emulated by one closely associated with the hot-tempered person.

These many admonitions show how damaging to oneself and to others this sin of having a hot-temper can be.  It is overcome with love for others, with an attitude of patience and gentleness, with a nonresistant spirit, and with the practice of self-control or self-mastery.  We need God’s help in overcoming this destructive and relationship-breaking offense.

 

[1] The American Heritage College Dictionary.

[2] Random House Webster’s College Dictionary.

[3] Family Word Finder.