Good Better Best

DEVOTION PROVERBS GOOD BETTER BEST Prov 15:18 18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. NIV Passion can be a good tract if it is employed in the right direction, but when it is pointed wrongly it can encourage great damage to any cause. It may appear this hot-tempered man is one of much self-elated worth, thinking far more of his self than he ought to. This over exaggerated opinion of self is usually the root cause of most extremely impatient people. Is this mostly a defense mechanism to cover up insecurity? Why is it so important to stir up dissension or strife in the first place? Is this a calculated effort or just a foolish behavior without much thought? In either case it appears it is not the thoughts or actions of a person dedicated to following Christ. Sure, this inappropriate response may be a part of all of us, even the most ardent follower of Christ, from time to time and our humanity rears its ugly head at those most unsuitable moments. But this is not the usual as it is with this individual described here. This type of person has the central theme of anger toward any disagreement with them and acts out of a selfish motive to stir up this strife, but not so the believer in Christ. God has declared that a soft answer will turn away wrath. Yes, impatience exists within each of us, but for the most part believers in Christ make every effort to control the self, and not look for occasions to lose ones temper, but rather seek to be patient, speak with care and understanding, in a soft non- damaging way so as to defuse the quarrel rather than to exasperate it with a hot tempered exchange. In the examination of both behaviors, which best depicts a person bringing glory to himself, or glory to God? Which behavior invokes the best respect of others toward the views expressed by each? Patience always triumphs over wrath. The believer endeavors to allow the Spirit to develop this fruit within. This is good, this is better, this is best.