He who is slow to anger, allays contention.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention.

Again, the problem of anger and wrath are addressed. A man can do or act two different ways, and have two different outcomes or consequences.

A man can be wrathful and wind up stirring up strife. A man who is furious, raging, indignant, and has bottled up anger within himself, can be like poison and snake venom. It will bring nothing but strife, or contention, and discord.

But, when a man is slow to anger ( notice not a man who does not have anger ) but a man who is slow to anger, or who is exercising some self control, that man will allay the contention. That is, he will help to settle the matter, to appease the problem, to bring some peace, to help settle the disturbance, and bring quietness.

Proverbs really points out in a very direct way both God’s wisdom and man’s foolishness. And, continually reminds us that we cannot make it on our own. We need God’s help in our lives, in more ways then we even know.

It seems easier to find God’s help when we are face to face with our own problems and our own sins and weaknesses.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ is our shepherd, and that He will lead us, and encourages us to follow. Following often starts with confession of our sins and turning in humility to God. He is there to receive us and to forgive us and to then lead us.

Father, what more can we say. How we need You. And, how thankful we are that we are not without hope in our lives, especially during times of sin, darkness and pain. We look to You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promises

1. It’s good to remember, God’s Word is true.

2. It’s helpful to ask for help from God.

3. The Holy Spirit is called our helper.

4. May we become peacemakers, not trouble makers.

5. God is always ready to help a person when they are down.

6. When we are down, we can look up.

7. When we are down, we don’t have to give up.

8. God looks down on us with love and mercy.

P.S. One of the great blessings we have in Christ, is that God not only forgives us of our sins as we confess them to Him, but, He also promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 truths about the righteous........

Proverbs 12:12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit.

Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.

The early chapters of Proverbs express God's wisdom by way of contrast's and comparisons.

These verses are a contrast between the wicked and the righteous. You will notice the word "but" is used 2 times to speak of contrast between the two.

There are two major differences in these verses. The wicked covet or lust for, delight in, the catch, or stronghold of evil men. In other words, they themselves being wicked, ( ungodly, criminal, hostile to God ) want what other evil men have, so they can be stronger. They are marked by wanting more of that which is evil and wicked.

But, and in contrast to the wicked, the root of the righteous yields fruit....Here's the 1st truth. A righteous person is not on their own, they are connected to God, and thus, will have God's fruit coming forth in their lives. They yield fruit.....

Finally, and here's where the 2nd truth is found. The righteous will come through trouble. The wicked will be ensnared by the transgression of his own lips, ( he will wind up being trapped by his own words ) But, notice this wonderful promise to the believer.

The righteous will come through trouble. For the child of God, though they will have trouble, and no doubt trouble because they are the children of God, and suffer living in this world of evil, they have this promise that they will come through the trouble. They may be in trouble at the moment, but they will not always be there, they will get through it.

God tells us in His Word, that nothing can separate us from His love. And that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations are designed by God to make us stronger in our faith, and to help us yield and partake of the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and to then be able to comfort others with the comfort we have received.

So, in summary........The righteous yield fruit......the fruit of the Spirit, the love of God.

And, the righteous are going to make it through the trouble they find. They will endure, and they will endure because of who they are in Christ. They are His people.

Lord, You have brought us to Yourself through faith in Jesus Christ, and declared us to be righteous in Your site. And, You have given us the Bible to explain not only who we are, but what life is about, and how to live our lives while we wait to go to heaven. Thank You for the fruit that is yielded in our lives, and thank You for the comfort of verses 13, that Your people do come through trouble. We love you, in Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/ promises

1. Be patient...fruit will come .

2. Be believing.....trust the Lord.

3. Don't worry, God will see you through the trouble.

4. Be thankful for His promises.

5. Act upon the Word of God He brings to you.

6. Think about the Lord not your troubles.

7. Pray for your enemies, that's what Jesus did.

8. Fruit and victory, 2 words that belong to the christian.