Psalms 16: 32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Matthew 10: 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Ezekiel 2: 2 And the spirit entered into me when he spoke unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spoke unto me.
3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.
6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
James 3: 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor lists.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
The Bible teaches Christians to take a conciliatory tone when fellow Christians may get ticked off for some reason or another, meaning that the aim of the one who seeks peace, should be to soothe any frayed nerves, and wherever possible to bring back a sense of normalcy to relationships.
Christians are the salt of the earth, and because the very nature of salt is to add a favorable taste to the food that is eaten, the general influence of the ones who speak and act in Christ’s stead should be that of bringing about reconciliation and calm to your troubled waters.
This does not mean that in every single instance the peace that the Christian seeks would become reality nor does it mean that peace must be purchased by compromising truth and principle.
What it means is that, as the ambassadors of Christ we are to seek out ways and means that will be in harmony with methods Christ employed that would make God happy to call us His children. In other words, peace is to be sown by the Christian as a seed, which in turn will certainly spring up, and bear corresponding fruit to God’s honor and glory in the overwhelming majority of cases. Let’s read:
James 3: 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
However, there are times when even the Christian might get ticked off, for one reason or another, and how persons handle volatile situations would speak volumes more, than any sermon that is preached.
Back in the days of old, Jacob’s sons got very ticked off because of an injustice done to their sister, for it seems from the narrative that Shechem had had a nonconsensual sexual relation with Dinah, and this incident rankled in their minds, until they became chafed with anger.
What they did next actually put their entire family at risk of retribution, for they went up afterwards, and slew all the males of that city, and were it not for the interposing mercies of God, we would have read of a very different after-history.
So yes, even though they were servants of the One true God, and even though they had a knowledge of God’s law, they got ticked off, and that is a red flag warning to all of us, who might seem to be so cool, and cute under favorable circumstances, but when some incident touches a raw nerve, a different side of us could be exposed. Let’s read:
Genesis 34:2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.
7 And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter: which thing ought not to be done.
25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem's house, and went out.
Moses also got ticked off when he saw the injustice of an Egyptian beating an Israelite. In that instance he sprang into action in the heat of the moment, as he slew the offender, delivering the justice which he thought was overdue.
In fact, when we read the history of Moses, we will see that he got ticked off on several occasions. Not because one has a close relationship with God does it mean that they could never get ticked off, except they are girded by the power, and presence of The Holy Spirit, moment by moment.
Those of us who think that just because a person may be a really genuine Christian, that he or she is immune or completely insulated from being ticked off, might be living in la-la land. There was none like Moses, who spoke with God face to face and yet, he succumbed to anger on different occasions.
For instance, when he came down from Mt, Sinai, with the hand written law of God in his hand and he saw the children of Israel prancing to Dollar Wine, his anger waxed really hot, and he broke the law of God into pieces, in the heat of the moment.
These things ought to show us the frailty of human nature, and our utter inability to tow the line in the times of anger, if we are not kept by the power of God at all times, and in all places. Let’s read:
Exodus 32: 19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.
20 And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
Now, some folks may argue that this was righteous indignation, and yes, it very well could have been. However, even righteous indignation should always be guided by The Holy Spirit, or else, later on you might be heard shouting: “Hear now ye rebels”.
However, The Lord would have us understand that it is not only Christian men that get ticked off, because in sacred history, you also have God-fearing women who also got ticked off, and when they did, like the sons of Jacob, and like brother Moses, they also lost it.
After Abraham followed Sarah’s advice, and Hagar and himself had their rendezvous together, Sarah got ticked off when the new mistress began to big up herself, as she thought of the honor of being the mother of Abraham’s son.
The fond thought went to Hagar’s head, but it also went to Sarah’s head, and before you know it, this once humble, Christian blew a fuse after the birth of Isaac, and the rest is history, for she demanded that Abraham evict Hagar, before she had to. Let’s read:
Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.
10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.
11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
There’s something very important for us to consider in the narrative which often gets overlooked but has to be addressed, since it is becoming acceptable in high and low places.
Hagar was obviously much younger than Sarah was, and it has been observed on numerous occasions, that when a wife gets into her golden years that the husband in some instances will start looking for one who is younger and more vibrant than his wife.
At times, this ends in divorce as the husband seeks out pleasure and a new life with one who is younger while the former wife is left holding the proverbial bag. This scenario has been especially observed in rich men who can afford it, and for some reason it seems to be on the uptick.
Husbands and wives should try their best to be all they can be to each other, and they should be there for each other in the evening of their days, for even though the man might be strong, and perky for the while, he must never forget his wife’s labor of love.
In addition to this he must always keep in mind the fact that one day, he too would be on the other side of the mountain, and since what goes around often comes around, who knows, the husband might also be forsaken at a time when he might need the love and care of his former wife who was despised.
This particular scenario has happened recently and it could become the norm if persons play follow the leader. But this is not what God intended, and when it occurs, the wife could become very ticked off even if she is a Christian, as she sees herself forsaken, in favor of another.
Matthew 7: 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Malachi 2: 13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regarded not the offering any more, nor received it with good will at your hand.
14 Yet ye say, wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
But one of the things that hurts the most is when a person manifests ingratitude for kindness shown to him or her. When one has no regard for what good is done to his or her person, and when there is not any acknowledgement to the benefactor, the Christian in some instances might get ticked off.
This isn’t a justification for losing your cool, all we’re saying is that it can produce feelings of anger when it occurs. Even though Jesus did not get ticked off in a particular instance, He did voice His observation when only one of the ten lepers who were healed, returned to give thanks.
The other nine took the healing, and went on their merry way, without turning back to thank Christ for restoring them from one of the most loathsome diseases at that time, and Jesus made a public note of it. Let’s read:
Luke 17: 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
It was the sin of ingratitude that had caused David to become ticked off at Nabal, when he had asked him to give him some food and drink for his men in the desert, as they were in hiding from Saul.
David and his band of fugitives had taken great care to protect Nabal’s sheep from roving marauders and therefore, it was a small favor David asked, which in and of itself could never have repaid the kindness rendered.
But not only did Nabal refuse, but he added insult to injury when he referred to David as a slave who had escaped from his master. That response did not sit well with David at all and in the heat of the moment he became ticked off, and he pledged to destroy not only Nabal, but all that belonged to him.
Now, there are critically important lessons for us to derive from the narrative, so that when we may be tempted to blow a fuse, for any reason, we too may follow the instructions that will be given.
Four points will be deduced from David’s experience so that cooler heads might prevail, and so that the Christian may avoid escalating conflict.
[1] There are thoughts and actions to avoid when a person answers the Christian rudely. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 25: 10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
There are times when, in speaking to some persons, they may make a reference to slavery if the Christian being spoken to is of African descent. This naturally triggers bad feelings and deep emotions that stir up a can of worms, if we are not girded with the grace of Christ.
When Nabal brought up the scenario of a slave and his master, in reference to David, it hit a raw nerve, and David, who previously had done very well in not seeking revenge against Saul now blew several fuses and immediately switched into revenge mode.
In other words, he then and there determined that Nabal would pay a high price for disrespecting him and his men in such a loathsome manner, and David decided to destroy all that pertained to Nabal, with the edge of the sword.
The Christian in our day must avoid, by the grace of God, being driven to extremes when persons in high and low places may make derogatory remarks about the marginalized and disenfranchised.
In our fallen nature it is so easy to switch to revenge mode, and hope that these fools will pay a stiff price for all the nastiness that oozes from their mouths as it pertains to those who are in the lower echelons of society, or may be of a different race or creed.
Feelings, thoughts and actions of violence, pay back, vengeance, or even hoping that God will intervene with heavy retribution to the perpetrators should be avoided at all cost, because when such feelings are indulged, it can put the Christian’s mind into a mode where we hope that the offenders are destroyed.
The spirit of reconciliation, on the other hand, while acknowledging the wrongs that are being done, will pray for those who might be doing and saying these things, either ignorantly or deliberately.
In other words, for the Christian to hope for the death of one who does us wrong, is not a Christlike sentiment, and wherever and whenever it surfaces, we must ask God to cleanse from unrighteousness. Let’s read:
Proverbs 24: 17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falls, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
1st Peter 3: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.
[2] Be very careful of acting on impulse whenever a person does you wrong, or answers you in a manner that is derogatory. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 25:12 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
Impulse disregards deep thought and prayerfulness, and is driven strictly by the heat of the moment and by present circumstances. You will notice that David didn’t take time to pray in the narrative, because he had gotten so riled up by Nabal’s negative response that humble prayer to God went completely out the window.
We have observed over a period many years, that it is much more difficult to stop and pray when your adrenaline is pumping, than when you are seated in church singing “Does Jesus care.” It could be pretty rough, but it is always advisable to take some time out just to pray, and cool down.
You will be surprised at the difference it will make, for if David had done so, it’s almost certain that God would never have directed him to go kill out every person that pertained to Nabal. Not happening. So, yes, the Bible strongly advises us to pray, especially when we may not feel like doing so. Let’s read:
Psalms 142: I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
2 I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knew my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me;
no man cared for my soul.
5 I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Philippians 4: 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every- thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
[3] The ministry of reconciliation must be adopted by the Christian, especially as we are heading into choppy waters, and there is an increasing tendency for some persons to answer roughly. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.
15 But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields.
16 They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep.
17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
When the servant says “Consider what thou will do” he is referring to the appropriate response to those threats made by David. Abigail’s response is quite noteworthy, because she took the high road, doing whatsoever was necessary to diffuse a volatile, and potentially deadly situation.
The Christian in our day must deal in the currency of heaven, instead of becoming ticked off, because, as we have stated on numerous occasions previously, if you were to fight fire with fire, you’ll only get more fire.
Firefighters will use water, and fire retardants while fighting fire, and the Christian should also use ways and means that will deescalate, not infuriate. When dire situations arise because someone gets ticked off, the Jesus in you should shine radiantly amidst the darkness, for this is how the character of God is to be made manifest in our interactions with people.
Abigail’s response to the threat of annihilation was to bake loaves of bread, and stew down five sheep complete with curry, in addition to fruit, roast corn, raisins, and cakes. Note well she didn’t go the route of self-preservation, by being locked and loaded to protect herself and her family.
God is calling upon the you and me in the here and now to follow Abigail’s lead by refusing to adopt the ways and means used by the world. The fact that we are royalty, our thoughts and actions should always bear witness to the fact, that God’s principles, and His ways and means are vastly superior to those of the kingdom of darkness. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 25:18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
1st Peter 2: 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
[4] Last but not least is the fact that David the ticked off Christian, was willing to listen to wise counsel, as it came from The Lord through Abigail. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 25: 30 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord shall have done to you according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me.
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with my own hand.
35 So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person.
The Lord must be able to speak to us when we are in the frame of mind where we are deeply wounded by some wrong or evil done to us. It was Jesus who said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them.”
The sheep are not to only hear God’s voice when things are going smooth and easy, but we must also be willing to listen to His voice, when like David, our nerves are frayed, and we are ticked off.
There are times in life where God might send some preacher, person, or fellow Christian, to diffuse the situation that has obtained, but we must be willing to listen to God’s voice at all times.
Instead of stoning the messenger, instead of steeling our hearts against any advice or counsel it would be better if we, like David will say, blessed be thy advice when it’s coming from a good, reliable source.
God is still speaking to ticked off Christians, but the question is are we still listening, for if we do, we will find in many situations that there is a way out of our predicament, without having to resort to revenge, violence, or the use of force.
Thus, instead of standing your ground as the world does, let us stand on the promises of God, and be willing to hear when He speaks, for if we do, we can be saved a whole lot of problems and repercussions if we had gone the revenge route.
We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will encourage us to listen, for even though we are beset with dangers on every side, God still has one thousand ways and means of resolving difficulties, which to human minds may seem to be evasive. Let’s read:
Proverbs 3: 4 So shalt thou find favor and a good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
God Bless!