Angry People

O. T. #1485  "Angry People"
July 18, 2019
Proverbs 22-Part 4
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. Proverbs 22:24-25

LET IT GLOW

As parents of teenagers, we tend to look deeply at those with whom our children are friends. Do they show anger at the drop of a hat? Do they explode at little things? What does Solomon have to say about this?

Don't befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (NLT)

We are greatly influenced by our companions. Wise folks avoid bad company. We don't want to learn their ways and practice their ways of being hot-tempered.

People tend to become like those with whom they spend a lot of time. Even the negative characteristics and habits often rub off. The Bible exhorts us to be cautious in our choice of companions. choose people with qualities you would like to develop in your own life. (Life Application Study Bible)

We can be civil to all, yet choose those who we rub elbows. So it is good for us to be aware of others we hang around with, "lest we imitate him, to honor him, and so contract an ill habit."
(Matthew Henry's Commentary in quotations)

LET IT GROW

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (verse 28)

This refers to stealing land by moving the boundaries. (MacArthur)

Good fences make good neighbors. As surveyors mark our land, we are to abide by it and not take what is not rightfully ours.

The landmark was protected by the ancient laws of Israel, according to the Torah. (Deut. 19:14; 27:17) It was a memorial and reminder of what their ancestors went through to acquire their Promised Land.

Even if you are not a landowner, we should set limits, boundaries, for our children so they avoid evil and downfalls. Are we setting boundaries for ourselves-movies, television, friends?

LET IT GO

Evaluate those with whom I spend time.
Set boundaries for myself.