A few days ago, the Straits Times reported that he allegedly bashed up a retiree with an umbrella—and killed him. Before this, he was also expelled from school last November after slashing his friend with a bread knife. This teenager apparently had a problem of unbridled anger: When provoked, he did not control his anger but vented his anger to its fullest destructive potential. For that, he will pay a heavy price: a possible athletic career with the national team—and also his life if he is charged for murder. I believe that this teenager wished that he had controlled his anger. He, however, not only did not but made the same mistake of losing his temper again and again.
A Fool
The Bible uses a very derogatory word to describe people who cannot control their anger—fool. Thus, “It is to a man’s honour to avoid strife, but every foolis quick to quarrel” (Prov 20:3). “A patient man has great understanding,but a quick-tempered man displays folly” (Prov 14:29). Anger is destructive: “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins” (Prov 29:22). I am not saying that a person cannot get angry: When unrighteousness abounds, we must be angry. The Bible is referring to uncontrolled anger. Uncontrolled anger can take the form of hurtful or vulgar words spoken which one later regrets or physical abuse. Often times, the angry party regrets his or her actions but only to repeat it again when provoked. If you are such a person, it will not be surprising if you are always getting into trouble with people around you. You need to change because you are hurting yourself and people around you.
A Great Man
“Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city” (Prov 16:32). On the other hand, a person who can control his anger is described as more powerful than a warrior. How can you control your anger?
You need the Lord Jesus to help you. You need to receive Jesus as your Saviour because only He can save you from this sinful life in you by giving you a new and holy life, the life of God. This life is capable of bearing fruits of patience and kindness. If you are a Christian, you are definitely capable of self control because you have been freed from bondage to sin. You must, however, do several things. First, you need to repent of your sin. Ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you for the many times that you lost your temper. If you had hurt people in your anger, you must apologise. This is a sign of true repentance. Ask the Lord to help you. He can and is willing (Heb 4:16). Second, the Bible tells us to “flee the evil desires of youth” (2 Tim 2:22). When provoked, keep quiet. Say neither good nor bad things. If possible, walk away from the person who provokes you. It is very uncomfortable to have to keep quiet when provoked. This frustration, however, will not be forever because each time you control you anger, you will find it easier to do it the next time. Persevere until it becomes a habit not to lose your temper. That day will come because you have the eternal and holy life of God in you which is capable of victory over sin.