Discernment and Our Spirit

Inclining our heart to discernment also helps us to control our spirit.  "He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment," says Proverbs 14:29,  "but one that is impatient is exalting in foolishness."   One reason why a discerning person strives to avoid uncontrolled anger is that it has adverse effects upon us physically. It can raise blood pressure and cause respiratory trouble. Doctors have cited  anger and rage as emotions aggravating or causing such ailments as  asthma, skin diseases, digestive problems, and ulcers.

It is  not just to avoid injuring our health that we should use discernment and be "slow to anger." Being impatient can lead to foolish actions that we will regret. Discernment makes us consider what could result from unbridled speech or rash conduct and thus keeps us from "exalting foolishness" by doing something unwise. Especially does discernment help us to realize  that rage can upset our thinking processes, so that we cannot use sound judgment.  This would impair our ability to do the divine will and live according to God's righteous principles.  Yes, yielding to uncontrolled anger is spiritually damaging.  In fact, "fits of anger" are classed among the detestable  "works of the flesh" that would keep us from inheriting God's Kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-21) As discerning Christians, then, let us be "swift  about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath." -James 1:19.

If we do become angry, discernment may indicate  that we should keep quiet so as to avoid conflagration. Proverbs 17:27 says:  "Anyone holding back his sayings is possessed of knowledge, and a man of discernment is cool of spirit."  Discernment and brotherly love will help us to see the need to control an urge to blurt out something hurtful. If an outburst of anger has already occurred, love and humility will move us to apologize and make amends.   But suppose someone has offended us.  Then let us speak to him alone in a mild and humble way and with the principal objective of promoting peace. -Matthew 5:23, 24; 18:15-17.

Next time: Discernment and Our Family

From the Watchtower magazine 1997