Apples of Gold

We have likely all experienced the discomfort and concern of playing a friendly game of touch football only to realize that someone misunderstood the directions and is under the impression that they are trying out for the NFL! This often leads to bruises, tears and likely some heated conversation.

Overreacting is not limited to sports. Unfortunately, we all find ourselves indulging in this guilty pleasure from time to time. It is often referred to as the straw that broke the camels back. Some unsuspecting soul wandered into our path at the worst possible time and they faced the brunt of a wall of frustration that had been building up like the steam in Old Faithful and the release was rather cataclysmic. 

One of the most famous cases of unnecessary roughness in Scripture occurred during King Saul’s relentless pursuit of David. Motivated by fear and jealousy Saul decides that David must die and he chases after him leaving a trail of tears and loss in his wake. As David is fleeing from Saul he makes a stop in the town of Nob and asks Ahimelech, the priest, for help. Ahimelech assumes he is on business for King Saul and complies. When Saul is informed let’s just say he is not very happy. The accusations begin to fly and Ahimelech is stunned. 

But sir, Ahimelech replied, is anyone among all your servants as faithful as David, your son-in-law? Why, he is the captain of your bodyguard and a highly honored member of your household! This was certainly not the first time I had consulted God for him! May the king not accuse me and my family in this matter, for I knew nothing at all of any plot against you. 1 Samuel 22:14-15

Saul’s wrath is not assuaged:

You will surely die, Ahimelech, along with your entire family! the king shouted. And he ordered his body guards, Kill these priests of the LORD, for they are allies and conspirators with David! They knew he was running away from me, but they didn’t tell me! But Saul’s men refused to kill the LORD’S priests. Then the king said to Doeg, You do it! So Doeg the Edomite turned on them and killed them that day, eighty-five priests in all, still wearing their priestly garments. 1 Samuel 22:16-18

There was no mercy. It didn’t matter that the priest acted in good faith. Saul didn’t like it and the hammer fell swiftly and harshly. Saul allowed his anger and his fear of losing his position to cloud his judgment, leading to a tragic outcome. Saul was so far off base, chasing after a man who meant him no harm. Clobbering anyone who got in his way. 

Anger and fear are dangerous motivators. Hindsight clearly displays the poor choices and needless harm encountered as a result. Scripture repeatedly directs us to keep our head during tumultuous times. 

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 2:19-20

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry. For anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesian 4:26-27

A foothold allows a climber to secure their position and gives them the ability to continue to make progress. Allowing our anger to seep through into our interactions with others is a dangerous prospect. Anger tends to breed anger, beginning a cycle of escalation that is difficult to escape. Thankfully, God knows our weakness and provides the key that opens an exit:

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. Proverbs 15:1

Despite the exposure we have had to just how effective this passage can be, our human instinct is to respond in kind when we are offended. Unnecessary roughness is all too common in our interactions with others. 

Sometimes sheep bite. Sometimes they kick and scratch. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere and our gut reaction is to give it right back to them because, after all they asked for it!  A careful reading of this next passage should cause us to freeze in our tracks:

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Ephesians 4:29-30

Frustration, criticism, even thoughtless words sometimes slip between our lips before we allow the Holy Spirit to have a chance to convict us. Not only does this hurt those around us but we bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit. That should cause us to blush and pray for the strength to be better.  

While anger gives a foothold to the devil, deference opens the door to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work in the middle of difficult circumstances. The soft answer should be our go-to.

He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30