Proverbs 19:11—”The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.”
In a bid to put into words the meaning of discretion, let’s go to its dictionary meaning:
– the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
-the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information.
It is not easy to restrain ourselves always, to not say what is on our mind, to not hurt others by our words, to use our freedom of speech in a responsible way. No it doesn’t come easy. It is a discipline that we must practise in order that we may overcome our weakness while speaking and behaving. We learn to defer our anger in a process and slowly we pass over our transgressions in this area.
“He attains the most true glory who endeavors most steadily to overcome evil with good.”
What is expected of us according to the Bible?
1- We must edify or build ourselves by pleasing our neighbors and doing good for others.
Romans 15:1-3—We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself…
2-We must please God – do and be fruitful in good works; seek knowledge of God and through His revelation power get strengthened for patience and long suffering that we may have to endure for Him.
Colossians 1:10-11—That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
3-We must always work keeping in mind who we belong to and keep our faith, hope and patience in God alive.
1 Thessalonians 1:3-4-remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
How do we get this patience?
1- We read the Word of God which is a life-changing Word that is alive.
Romans 15:4-For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
2-We ask God who is the epitome of patience to grant us this discipline of patience.
Romans 15:5-Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3-We need to change ourselves in the power of God and Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:5-6-For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
4-We need to endure trials for Christ to test our faith and longsuffering or patience.
James 1:2-4—My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
What do we get by overcoming our anger and moving to patience?
We will stand to gain the promises of God.
Hebrew 6:10-14—For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
