Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. ~Ecclesiastes 7:9
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet king Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and the tambourines and lutes. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry. This refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing he harp, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice.” ~1 Samuel 18:6-11
We’ve all been there. We’ve all lost it at one time or another. It happens even to the most even tempered among us. Something sets us off, emotion kicks in and we do or say something that we will regret later. Perhaps “anger resides in the lap of fools,” because the thinking part of ourselves isn’t working when we blow up. “The fruit of the Spirit is…self-control.” Over and over again and again, Paul reminds us to show restraint and be self-controlled, but, unfortunately, that doesn’t stop satan from trying.
He never tires of tempting us. He may fail once, but there is always a next time! In the second book of C.S. Lewis’ space trilogy called, “Perelandra,” the main character, Ransom, is taken to Venus, where a new creation is taking place. Ransom arrives to meet the new couple, Venus’ Adam and Eve, before the temptation for a fall has taken place.
Of course, Ransom’s nemesis, a professor who had kidnapped Ransom in the first book, has also arrived to, you guessed it, be the tempter to try to ruin this new creation as well. What amazes Ransom is just how sneaky and tireless this professor is in not only tempting the couple, but in also tempting Ransom to sin, to especially display anger, in the hopes of frightening this couple away from Ransom’s protection, so that they will trust the professor instead. There is one scene in the book in which the professor just keeps repeating Ransom’s name over and over again for more than seven days, just to be annoying and to provoke Ransom to lose it.
That is a picture of how satan works in our lives. That’s why Paul tells us to keep our armor on, (Ephesians 6:10-18) and to always be on the alert. The tempter does not grow tired, even though we may. There is no, “let’s take ten,” in satan’s game plan. His goal is to destroy as much as he can before it’s over. God may be holding one end of the chain, but He also may allow satan to continue. One reason for this may be that God hopes that His bride, the church, will take this spiritual battle seriously and be more determined not to give up ground.
Sadly, when we lose our temper, we are giving up some ground that we will have to fight hard to regain for Christ. That’s why God has given us the tools of humility, apologizing and forgiving. These are tools that are only in our arsenal. Satan would have no clue how to use them. He is better at provoking and accusing. Only on God’s side are the tools for rebuilding. When we lose it, we may be a fool, for a moment, but praise God, for the gift of forgiveness, from Him and for each other. That is how we regain the ground we lost.
Jesus Himself has set the example by being the reconciler and healer. That is how He is slowly regaining what was “taken” from Him through satan’s and man’s rebellion. You know, when Saul became angry, his foolishness caused him to lose a great deal, most of all God’s favor. His anger toward David only served to continually make his situation and his standing before the Lord, worse as time went on. He just kept fighting and kept trying to force his way, his “rights,” on everyone, which only resulted in a war torn and war weary nation who saw David as a sane, reasonable alternative.
Saul gave up thinking and seeking the Lord. He was just determined to have his way. In the end, he was the ultimate fool who never shook the anger out of his lap and would not be reasoned with. Even the few times he gave a faint apology to David, he didn’t reconcile, but walked away. May we be followers of Christ who know how to use His tools well. May we be known for building, reconciling, healing and blessing. May we not be known for our disagreements and those moments that cause disunity among His people.
Prayer: I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me. Hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense. May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Psalm 141:1-4)
Song: Angry Words
Comments
Post a Comment