Slow to Anger

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Anger in its time and place

May assume a kind of grace.

It must have some reason in it,

And not last beyond a minute.

If to further lengths it go,

It does into malice grow.

’Tis the difference that we see

’Twixt the serpent and the bee.

If the latter you provoke,

It inflicts a hasty stroke,

Puts you to some little pain,

But it never stings again.

Close in tufted bush or brake

Lurks the poison-swelled snake

Nursing up his cherished wrath;

In the purlieus of his path,

In the cold, or in the warm,

Mean him good, or mean him harm,

Wheresoever fate may bring you,

The vile snake will ALWAYS sting you.

Lamb to Lamb (wb)

Words don’t mean, people mean.

And they can be mean when they attempt to mean what they may not mean when trying to provoke or extract meaning.

It is not an exact science. It is not an exact reason. It is not an exact behavior. It is not an exact action. It is not an exact word. It is not an exact deed.

What is “It” then.

It is anger.

It can snowball into more than iciness and intensity.

A giant fireball resulting from an explosion.

Mean him good, or mean him harm

An angry person can be a dangerous thing. A single moment of rage can destroy a relationship, destroy your integrity, and even make decisions you will regret for a lifetime. A brother offended is more unyielding that a strong city, and discord is like the bars of a castle. (Proverbs 18:19)

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Competition can turn the simplest of us into raging lunatics.

Angry man + cunning spirit+ dishonest scales = despised behavior. Do not harbor anger in your heart. Be not hasty in they spirit to be angry: for anger resteths in the bosom of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

A raged man causes conflict. Be slow to rage. For just as a gentle, thoughtful, or caring word can soothe a troubled heart, and bring hope to the hopeless, so can a harsh, or hateful remark quickly stir up strife and anger.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Righteous wrath is grieved over sin and wickedness, whereas fleshly rage allows the devil to get a foothold in our lives and drives us to sink further into our fleshly lusts. In Matthew 21, Jesus demonstrated righteous wrath by turning the tables of money changers and those selling oxen, lambs, and doves in Temple court.

Mean him good or mean him harm.

A raged man causes conflict.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. (Psalm 37:8)

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Do not let your anger control you. It is immoral to become irritated because of the wicked man’s success. Anger and a thirst for Vengence creates a vicious cycle of violence and immortality. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalt folly (Proverbs 14:29)

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Solomon brings up the matter of management. Managing one’s temper once more. It takes a lot of maturities to be able to deliberate before speaking or acting. Wisdom that has matured into “understanding” can then be passed onto others. A wise individual considers a matter carefully and reacts only when necessary.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Wrath + Anxiety = Anger

Thoughtfulness + Forgiveness = Happiness

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Proverbs state, “A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult (12:16) To grow and nurture one’s character is to grow in this trait. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (15:1). A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. (15:18)

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Words.

Words have power.

Words have the power to be both beneficial and therapeutic. They can be a source of comfort and optimism.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good or mean him harm.

Words.

Wise words.

Polite words.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good or mean him harm.

Words.

Words have capacity

Wise and polite words have the capacity to “throw oil on turbulent waters” or diffuse a situation that could swiftly grow into a catastrophic quarrel.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Words.

Words and messages.

Grace.

Compassion.

The words and messages we speak should be spoken in spirit and truth, with grace and compassion.

Mean him good or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Closing our eyes, burying our heads in the sand unwittingly contributes to our self ignorance.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

In their own blinded eyes and bloodied hearts, which are puffed up with pride, there are individuals who assume to exalt themselves, to become as small gods.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

There are people who reject. There are people who reject the true and living God. But. The Lord is unique in character, singular in integrity, distinct in graciousness, and unrivaled in perfection. The ultimate competitor. Because He wins. He alone is deserving of sincere worship, acclaim, honor and glory. He is indeed, One. He is supreme.

Mean him good, or mean him harm.

Mean him good, or mean him harm,

A gentle answer turns away wrath.

A harsh word stirs up anger.

Mean him good or mean him harm.