Identity!

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

To place the above in context, the Preacher was emphasizing the importance of patience, and the danger of pride. The verse before today's extract talks about the end of a matter being better than the beginning. This statement is true on so many levels. When you consider the importance of relationships, that advice is critical and fundamental. If you know and appreciate the value of what you have, you will be quick to resolve misunderstandings. Same with God: if you know God on the heart-level, you will not do anything to jeopardize that relationship.

Then, immediately comes today's advice or counsel: do not be quickly provoked in your spirit. Your control tower determines your reaction. You can say all the right words, and put up the best attitude; what you do when pressure mounts and offences come, will be the result of your command/control centre. Who is in charge there? Have you solved the "Identity" question?

In so many places, the danger of anger without control is emphasized. The Bible says "Be angry, and sin not". That advice would not be so critical if God did not understand just how much sin crouches close to a quick temper. The first murder in the Bible was due to silent anger. Throughout the bible, we see the result of lack of self-control; men giving in to the desire to get even with others, forgetting that God is the ultimate judge, and he alone will reward each man for his actions.

Anger resides in the laps of fools. Fools also say in their hearts that 'There is no God'. Who am I? Am I quick to anger, or have I given total control to God? Do I have close friendships with men who are also quick to anger? Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit, while fits of rage is one of the manifestations of a life controlled by the flesh. If I review my life honestly, in the light of God's Word, where do I fit? If God were to publish an assessment of my life for all to see, who would he say I am? His time of favour is here.