A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
and a man of evil devices is hated.

Proverbs 14:17

We continue in chapter fourteen and it is not looking good for the fool. Have you noticed that God has nothing good to say about fools? We need to keep that in mind the next time we are tempted to say something foolish or to join a crowd in some sort of foolish behavior.

Today we look at a quick-temper. Another trait that is growing in its practice and even being justified as a normal and acceptable in ‘some’ situations which it seems is a lot of situations!

The Hebrew word for quick-temper is qaser [H7116]. Its definition includes: small, few, soon, hasty, short, impatient. It is only used five times in the entire Old Testament.  In 2 Kings, it is short of hand, feeble. In Isaiah it is figurative. In Job it is short-lived. It is used three times in Proverbs: opposed to, impatient, of time. 

The Bible is very clear that anger and temper tantrums are a trait of fools. Traits that keep bad company with each other and should be avoided and when these ungodly traits are not avoided they are to be confessed and dealt with quickly. Sadly, the dire consequences of angry outbursts are not easily resolved or forgotten. Best to listen to and to heed God’s truth. Here is a sample.

Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 29:22

An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Ecclesiastes 7:9

Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

Ephesians 4:26

Be angry, and yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger.

James 1:18-19

This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Let’s kick that quick-temper out of our life’s box…for good!