1. Surveying the Book of Proverbs Anger The Devil’s Foothold

2. Fools and their tempers A quick temper causes foolish acts – Proverbs 14:17 A wise man controls his temper – 14:29 A real man controls his spirit – not vice versa – 16:32 A pugnacious man makes his own bed – 19:19

3. Fools and their tempers Wait! Wasn’t Jesus angry? – Matthew 21:12-19 He certainly was; but remember what His half brother said? – James 1:19-20

4. Bring Discord and Strife At the root; most of us would prefer peace! – 17:1; 21:9 But it really only takes one to tangle! – 15:18 cf. 11:23; 13:10; 18:62; 25:23 & 28:25 It’s best to stay back! – 26:17 And evaluate our part! – 26:20-21

5. Bring Discord and Strife God Abhors Discord Sowers! – 6:19 (cf. 1 Corinthians 3) No wonder Paul says it gives the devil a foothold! – Ephesians 4:26-27

6. Turning away wrath A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool's wrath is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy? (27:3 - 4)

7. Turning away wrath A soft answer turns away wrath - 15:1 (cf 3:30) Correction can be pointless – 9:8 Stay away if possible! -22:25 And sometimes we have to ask one to leave – 22:10 (cf Titus 3:10-11)

8. Turning away wrath But if the anger is ours… …..The Bible is clear – It’s caused by lust – By pride – And by thinking we are the judge (James 4)