Relationship
«Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls» (Proverbs 25:23).
The famous New York actor and comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, «There are two things that allow me to figure out the true nature of people. The first one is seeing them drive a car; the second one is listening to them talk about marriage.» Though it was said as a joke, the statement is serious. People tend to lose their temper in stressful situations, especially when the tension is associated with interpersonal relationships with spouse, children, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc. Driving a car, especially in big cities, can be a highly stressful situation and almost always is the result of another drivers’ behavior. Married life can also cause tension, especially during serious difficulties between spouses. In these situations, anyone can lose their temper. Today’s verse mentions two consequences of a lack of self-control: total defeat of oneself and the helplessness likened to a «city broken down, without walls.
«The unleashing of the spirit here refers to anger. Anger hurts the feelings of the one who receives it, creates fear, mistrust, and distance, including hate toward the angry one. It also damages the physical and mental health of the angry person because it causes stress, lack of common sense, guilt, frustration, and even depression. Hate also carries risks of physiological nature: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol problems, and immune deficiency.
Furthermore, the problem goes beyond physical and mental risks, since it can affect us morally. It is not surprising that the Bible mentions multiple times the danger of inappropriate and angry words (Ps. 37:8; Prov. 12: 18; 14:29; 25:28; 29:20; Eccles. 7:9). Jesus Himself condemns whoever is angry and insults his brother as liable to judgment and exposed to hell fire (Matt. 5:21, 22).
It is possible to get away from this problem that destroys relations. Had it not been true, the Psalmist would not have said, «Cease from anger, and forsake wrath» (Ps. 37:8). It is necessary to completely trust God’s declaration: «But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law» (Gal. 5:22, 23). Practice these virtues every day and pray to God to maintain them in your heart throughout this day and in the future also.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
