Foolishness

Foolishness

Q: According to the proverb, who does foolish things?

• a. a child
• b. a dreamer
• c. a short-tempered person

Sean is a good basketball player, but no one wants to play with him. Why not? His anger flares quickly, and no one is safe from his temper. If he’s fouled, he’ll charge the offending player or yell at him. If Sean fouls someone else, his temper flares at the player for being in the way.

Even though Sean is a talented player, the coach dismissed him from the team. In fits of rage, Sean had thrown the ball into the bleachers, thrown his water bottle at another player, and cursed at and even pushed another player to the ground and kicked him. His temper cost the team the game more than once.

According to Proverbs, a short-tempered person does foolish things. That’s easy to see. Many people are harmed physically or emotionally because of someone’s temper. But James 1:19 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

Anger reacts. But wisdom acts. Foolish people let their tempers flare and do things they will be ashamed of later. Godly people are slow to get angry. They look at the situation, think it through, and then do the right thing.

For You

Are you the foolish person who acts in anger or the wise one who thinks things through and then acts? If anger is a problem for you, talk to a trusted adult about how to get it under control.

Answer: c

Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.   Proverbs 14:17

(The Whole Story: Proverbs 14)