Important calls for self control in our Proverb today.  A great chance for some self reflection in a world where so many different things are vying for our attention at once, it is easy to get anger, and in a culture where anger is promoted, we get a great reality check in God’s Word:

Pro 16:32  One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.

Being slow to get angry and keeping control of one’s temper go hand in hand, and the Proverbs today says that it is better than being mighty or conquering a city.  

Being anger does not bring honor to God, so if we are to truly live a life that is, as Proverbs often reminds us, living in fear of the Lord, or being wise, we will avoid anger.  Jesus’s half brother James tells us anger does not produce the righteousness of God.   

The world conditions us that we are macho when we let our tempers rage, that whole “not today Satan” meme comes to mind, but that love of self is not the love of God.  God’s word tells us to deny ourselves to rage, if we are to truly pick up our cross and follow Jesus, we will deny our lustful wants of pride and getting even with others.  As Jesus tells us, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.