ECCLESIASTES 7:9-12: “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.” NKJV
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OBSERVATION: Have you ever been burnt by the fire of anger? Anger is like a fire that blinds one to the reality of life. When our hearts are bound by anger we see everything in life through that anger. Solomon, in his quest for meaning in life, realizes this truth –

• “…anger rests in the bosom of fools.”

We all deal with anger. There is a difference between righteous anger against sin and unrighteousness anger against an individual or God Himself. In either case, if we hold on to anger, we will get burned!

• “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:26-27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When we hold onto anger we are actually playing right into the enemy’s hand. To let the sun go down on our anger is to give the devil a foothold in the situation. And, the enemy of our soul’s directive is not to destroy the person we are angry with. His main objective is to destroy us.

• “…anger rests (remains) in the bosom of fools.”

Only a fool would embrace a burning fire that destroys. Yet, we have all played the fool when it comes to anger. We have relished our anger while failing to realize the destruction that it was doing to our own soul. When we cross this line we become hyper-sensitive to others. We view and hear everything they do and say through our anger and our hurt. And, we begin to believe the lies that are whispered into our ears by the devil.

Anger’s partner in crime is discontent. When we are angry in the present we long for the past. Our anger not only blinds us to our current reality but it also falsely colors our past.

• “Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.”

Anger and discontent deceive us. They make us long for a past that did not exist and they rob us of any chance to enjoy the present. The angrier we become the more our discontentment grows. What is the answer to this downward spiral?

The answer is wisdom! God’s wisdom!

• “Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.”

When Solomon speaks of wisdom, he is not referring to mere knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective. Wisdom calls us to rise above our anger so that we can see the pathway of forgiveness and healing. Wisdom is a strong defense against the fire of anger. Wisdom begins when we lay down our anger at the cross and enter into the fear of the Lord.

• “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When we see anger for what it really is, a destroying fire, then we can understand why the Scriptures call anger a fool’s game. Anger takes away life, wisdom gives life. Anger blinds us to the reality of life, wisdom opens our eyes so that we can truly see life as God intended. Anger distorts our hearing and our perception of others, while wisdom gives us compassion and mercy for others.

• “…anger rests (remains) in the bosom of fools.”

Lord, this morning, if I find myself holding the torch of anger, help me to lay it down at the cross. Cleanse me from the fire of anger. Help me walk in Your wisdom. Help me to walk in Your love and compassion. Grant me the grace to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, knowing…

• “…the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In Jesus Name!