Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
An angry man stirs up dissension
The phrase highlights the destructive nature of anger, which is a recurring theme in biblical wisdom literature. Anger often leads to conflict and division, disrupting peace and unity within communities. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, maintaining harmony was crucial for the survival and prosperity of the community. The Hebrew word for "dissension" can also imply strife or contention, suggesting that anger not only causes immediate conflict but can also have long-lasting effects. This idea is echoed in James 1:19-20, which advises believers to be "slow to anger" because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. The biblical narrative often contrasts the peaceable nature of wisdom with the chaos brought by anger, as seen in Proverbs 15:18, which states, "A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel."

and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression
This phrase underscores the link between uncontrolled temper and sin. A hot-tempered individual is prone to making rash decisions, often leading to moral and ethical failures. The term "abounds" suggests that transgressions are not isolated incidents but a pattern of behavior. In the historical context, the Law of Moses emphasized self-control and the importance of upholding God's commandments, which a hot-tempered person frequently violates. The New Testament reinforces this concept in Galatians 5:19-21, where fits of rage are listed among the acts of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit. Theologically, this phrase serves as a warning that unchecked anger can lead one away from God's path, highlighting the need for repentance and transformation through Christ, who exemplifies perfect self-control and peace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often address practical aspects of daily life and relationships.

2. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms and values of ancient Israel can provide insight into the text.

3. Angry Man
Represents individuals who are quick to anger and cause discord. This character is a common subject in wisdom literature, highlighting the dangers of uncontrolled emotions.

4. Hot-Tempered Man
Similar to the angry man, this person is characterized by a lack of self-control, leading to frequent transgressions and moral failings.

5. Dissension and Transgression
These are the consequences of anger and a hot temper, leading to conflict and sin within communities and relationships.
Teaching Points
The Dangers of Anger
Anger can lead to dissension and transgression, disrupting relationships and communities. It is crucial to recognize and address anger before it causes harm.

Self-Control as a Virtue
Cultivating self-control is essential in managing anger. It is a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of spiritual maturity.

Conflict Resolution
Believers are called to be peacemakers. Addressing anger and resolving conflicts in a godly manner is vital for maintaining unity and harmony.

Reflecting Christ's Character
Jesus exemplified patience and self-control. As His followers, we are called to emulate His character in our interactions with others.

Prayer and Dependence on God
Overcoming anger requires reliance on God's strength and guidance. Prayer is a powerful tool in seeking His help to transform our hearts.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the description of an "angry man" in Proverbs 29:22 compare to the characteristics of a godly person as described in Galatians 5:22-23?

2. What practical steps can you take to manage anger and prevent it from leading to dissension in your relationships?

3. Reflect on a time when anger led to conflict in your life. How could applying the principles from Proverbs 29:22 have changed the outcome?

4. How can understanding the cultural context of ancient Israel enhance our interpretation of Proverbs 29:22?

5. In what ways can prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit help you cultivate self-control and overcome a hot temper?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 1:19-20
This passage advises believers to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, emphasizing that human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

Ephesians 4:26-27
Paul instructs believers not to sin in their anger and not to let the sun go down while still angry, highlighting the importance of resolving anger quickly to prevent giving the devil a foothold.

Galatians 5:19-21
Lists the acts of the flesh, including fits of rage, contrasting them with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control.
Fatal Defects in the Social StateE. Johnson Proverbs 29:18-23
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Aboundeth, Abounds, Anger, Angry, Cause, Causes, Commits, Contention, Dissension, Exciteth, Fighting, Furious, Hot-tempered, Multiplying, Sin, Sins, Stirreth, Stirs, Strife, Transgression, Wrath, Wrathful, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 29:22

     5606   warfare, nature of
     5791   anger, human

Library
An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Two Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could,
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness
St. Augustine—On Lying

Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor
St. Augustine—Against Lying

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is,
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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