You've seen them lately: Joe Wilson, Serena Williams, and Kanye West. It's not just a problem for people whose last name begins with "W." You may understand a person's feelings or even agree with their general position, but "how" we express our view is as important as what view we express. At least, it must for the Christian.
Listed among the works of the flesh is Paul's warning against "outbursts of anger" (Gal. 5:20; NKJ--"outbursts of wrath"). What an expressive word "outburst" is. It is an outbreak, which sounds like a disease. It is an eruption, which sounds like a catastrophe. It is a sudden release, which sounds like somebody with their finger on the nuclear bomb button. Call it by any other name and its effect is no less destructive.
You and I do not have the forum and stage of a national politician, musician, or athlete, but we certainly have a sphere of influence. How quickly a solid reputation, a trusted leadership, and a valued friendship is lost when we cannot control our temper! How happier life would be if we would always remember to think before we react rather than rueing and regretting after the fact that we didn't!
Listed among the works of the flesh is Paul's warning against "outbursts of anger" (Gal. 5:20; NKJ--"outbursts of wrath"). What an expressive word "outburst" is. It is an outbreak, which sounds like a disease. It is an eruption, which sounds like a catastrophe. It is a sudden release, which sounds like somebody with their finger on the nuclear bomb button. Call it by any other name and its effect is no less destructive.
You and I do not have the forum and stage of a national politician, musician, or athlete, but we certainly have a sphere of influence. How quickly a solid reputation, a trusted leadership, and a valued friendship is lost when we cannot control our temper! How happier life would be if we would always remember to think before we react rather than rueing and regretting after the fact that we didn't!
--Neal Pollard
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