If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you’ve been scheming, put your hand over your mouth. For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.  Proverbs 30:32-33 HCSB

The bible has a lot to say about stirring anger or stirring strife.  In Matthew 5:9 we are told that the peacemakers are blessed because they will be called children of God.  There are people that can step into a bad situation and calm it down and there are people that step into a completely calm situation and turn it into a riot.

If you have ever worked in law enforcement, you know exactly what I mean.  I have worked with people who could talk to someone who was fiercely angry and have them calm, cool, and collected in a matter of seconds.  But I have also worked with those that could walk into a situation that was completely calm and turn it upside down in a matter of seconds.  Given my choice I prefer to work with the peacemaker.  When you work with the peacemaker, you are less likely to have to engage in a physical confrontation.  Now the Bible has a lot to say about people who stir strife.  Proverbs 29:22, A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.  Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 10:12 tells us that hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. James 4:1 tells us that what causes quarrels and fights among us is our passions at war within us.  And in James 3:17 we are told  that the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

As Christians, I believe that our anger is the worst demon that many of us face.  We can do so well until someone angers us.  Sadly, this is when we are most likely to sin or destroy our witness.  In anger we are more apt to gossip.  In anger we are more apt to curse or even take the Lord’s name in vain.  In anger we are more likely to inflict physical or emotional pain on someone.  In Micah 6:8 we are told to seek justice.  There will be times when we must defend ourselves or others, but if we do it in anger, we are more apt to go overboard.

You’ve probably heard it said, don’t let your anger get the best of you.  This is because anger that goes unchecked can take complete control.  It is a great opening for the devil.  The devil can worm his way into our lives through anger.

This is why we must be careful not to stir anger in others.  The Bible is very clear about what will happen to the wicked people who plan evil.  God states very clearly in many verses of scripture that the wicked will perish.  Psalm 37:20 tells us that “the wicked will perish.  Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.”

As Christians, we are called to be humble and merciful (Micah 6:8).  We are called to stand out and be different, we can’t do that when we stir strife.  We can’t do that when we plot evil against others.  Our scripture passage tells us that when we do that we play the fool.

We are called to lead others to Christ, we can’t do that with behavior that does not honor our savior.

So if someone has angered you in some way, be careful about how you handle it.  First and foremost, give it up to God and let Him deal with it.  Don’t do anything out of anger.  Spend time with God first.  Let Him guide you in the proper way to deal with any problem especially one where emotions are high. As you learn to do this, you will see what a great job God can do handling your problems when you are willing to let go of them.

Have a great day!