The 7 Deadly Sins Part 3: Wrath
Are you someone that is known for being a hot head? Or maybe you have a friend, who once that fuse is lit, they can really go zero to one hundred? Yeah, at one point in time or another we have battled with being a hot head or with someone that was a hot head; quick to anger or quick to wrath. But first, let’s look at what it means to have wrath using dictionary.com and the Strongs Concordance:
Wrath
Noun
strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire.
vengeance or punishment as the consequence of anger.
adjective
Archaic.
wroth.
Strong's Number
H5678
Original Word
עברה
Transliterated Word
‛ebrâh
Phonetic Spelling
eb-raw'
Parts of Speech
Noun Feminine
Strong's Definition
Feminine of H5676; an outburst of passion: - {anger} {rage} wrath.
Wrath is a level above that of mere anger. It is strong, fierce or stern anger. There is a deep resentment toward something or someone.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 KJV
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
You want to take the time to examine whatever the situation is in front of you before you allow yourself to be consumed by anger or rage. Lest you become foolish because what you thought to be true wasn’t the case. Let’s say for example you lost something and you believe someone near you took it. Need they look or seem suspicious you blow up on them as a result. Here you thought this person took something that was yours when they didn’t but you swear up and down they did and now you’re making a whole scene. Meanwhile, you left it in the car or even worse, at home. But only when you get to your car or home do you realize that you messed up and you were wrong. And in that moment of realization, that is the level of humility you must have before reacting or blowing up on someone. And to make it worse, you probably won’t go out of your way to apologize because you don’t want to look dumb in the eyes of the other person. When the reality is, is that would just be an even greater act of humility and the least you could do because the other party knew they were right and you were wrong. This is all an example of why the scriptures say, “anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” You holding on to something that could very well be a lie or a figment of your imagination.
Sirach 11:7 KJVA
Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.
This is why the scriptures give this understanding. It is important, no, vital, to understand that you must pump the brakes on yourself and take the time to examine the matter carefully before you act. You can ruin good relationships long term because you didn’t take the time to ask what was going on and assumed this or that was the situation and it wasn’t. You just went into rebuke mode.
Proverbs 27:3 KJVS
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
If you have a stone and I don’t mean a pebble or a rock. But a solid stone. It’s not easy to carry that stone and maintain your mobility. Or if you have sand bags. Like the type you use for floods, it’s not easy to carry one or two of those and maintain mobility. There is some weight that slows you down. When it comes to the anger of a foolish individual it’s heavy to bear. And will always slow you down because now you can get caught up because of someone else’s rash behavior.
Sirach 8:15 KJVA
Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.
Some people you have to realize that you can’t hang with like that. They are too reckless and become a liability. You can get caught up behind a friend or family member that is quick to talk reckless or pick fights that could be avoided. And to make it worse, sometimes they be dead wrong. But because they related to you or you have a history together, you feel compelled to always have they back. But you have to check them and if they don’t listen you need to distance yourself. Lest you end up jumped , shot or killed messing around with them. If you or them choose the wrong person, they just might catch you slipping. And the thought of these things and what may or may not happen to you becomes grievous. Especially, if you have a spouse and or kids. You have that much more to lose.
Sirach 22:5 KJVA
She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.
One of the things people may not always consider when dealing with someone who is quick to anger, is the fact that they are often bold. They are not daunted by fear or restraint to the fact of what may happen. And that is bad. As a healthy level of fear helps keep you level headed. You can even have some bold women quick to pop off. And you say well what’s wrong with that? Men pop off too. Yes, but often times men pop off as a result of something a woman said or did. Leaving some men, need it be the father, husband, or brother stressed or resentful toward that woman. Not knowing when they may be dragged into something messing around with her. And too often you have women quick to say, “Don’t make me get my brother!” Or cousin, uncle, daddy whoever. And you don’t want to be the type of person who always drags someone else into the situation. When they don’t even know what’s going on or who’s at fault. But because you’re in your feelings and passionate in the moment, words fly. And you put people in a compromising situation.
Genesis 49:5-7 KJVS
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. [6] O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall. [7] Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.
Simeon and Levi did the same thing when they put there whole family at risk seeking vengeance for a man that decided to have sex with their sister. Treating her as if she was some harlot you would find on the street. It wasn’t done in a way that was honorable or respectable. Forget getting the father or even any of the brother’s permission first. I like her, I want her, and I will have her. So they were highly offended. And decided to take vengeance on this man without realizing who he was; name, position, family. And he was in fact someone of reputation, royalty even, that could come with dire consequences for murdering. But you didn’t consider the aftermath and repercussions of your actions. You acted according to your anger in the moment. Not considering the risks and who you put at risk. Especially, when considering that your family is small when compared to a city, town or army.
Proverbs 15:18 KJVS
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
One that is full of wrath will stir up and cause problems when things could have been peaceful and calm. Strife could have been avoided but you wanted all the smoke that day. You were in a bad mood. Now if you learn to be slow to anger you can create peace when there is chaos and avoid a lot of unnecessary altercations.
Proverbs 26:20-21 KJVS
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. [21] As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
You have to learn to stop feeding the flame and fanning the fire. Stop being contentious. What do you expect to happen if a fire is started and you keep adding more coals? The fire will get stronger, larger, and hotter. It will last longer. That’s what you do every time you choose to be reactive instead of responsive. You just react based on how you feel about what was done or said. Instead of responding appropriately to what was done or said.
Sirach 28:12 KJVA
If thou blow the spark, it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these come out of thy mouth.
You have the power through your words and actions to escalate or de-escalate a situation. Either option is based on your choices. And it isn’t always easy. Sometimes you are being disrespected. Sometimes you may feel like you may have to defend your honor or reputation. But you must realize that preserving your life and the life of your family is more important than defending your pride and ego.
Proverbs 19:11 KJVS
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
You have to take time to process what is going on and respond accordingly. That is using discretion. In something as simple as, should I do this? Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. And the process of going through these thoughts can cause you to become more patient and understanding. It’s even glory unto you, if you can look past the minor sin or offense done and choose to forgive. God does it for us.
Psalm 78:38 KJV
But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
The Most High God many times forgave us of our sins. He chose to show compassion toward us even when we didn’t deserve it. He could have destroyed us but chose to preserve us. And he did this many times. Many times he chose not to destroy us but chose rather to forgive us, while maintaining and regulating his own anger. We must learn to do the same.
Jeremiah 25:6 KJV
And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.
God even lets us know what to do to avoid his anger coming down on us. To help us avoid any situation where we may say or do something that could offend. As a result, he won’t do any harm to us. We have to not only remember this love shown toward us but we must also fight to show this love toward one another.
Ephesians 4:26-27 KJVS
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil.
You must learn to be able to be upset and not allow yourself to pass over that line and sin. And if you are upset you have to find a way to not let a day go by and let the sun set and you still hot and bothered (no pun intended). Else it can lead to a grudging or vengeful spirit that can cause you to go above and beyond to make another party suffer. You have to nip the matter in the bud and not give any room for Satan to come in and corrupt your mind, body and spirit.
Psalm 37:8 KJV
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
