What are some of the consequences of a short temper?

Proverbs 14:29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

Daniel 3:13, 19, 26-28Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, . . . Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. . . . Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke! Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

A short temper can cause us to make terrible mistakes. Due to his rage, Nebuchadnezzar hastily sent some of his most capable and faithful servants to what he thought would be their deaths.

2 Kings 5:12-14Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage. But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!

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

A short temper can cause us to act foolishly. Naaman’s temper almost cost him his opportunity to be healed.

Proverbs 15:18A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.

Proverbs 25:28A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

Proverbs 29:22An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

A short temper can lead to fights—often with words, even if not with fists. Ironically, a short-tempered person is not usually equipped to end those fights. Instead, feelings escalate and sin wins the day. This leaves them constantly at war with others and vulnerable to provocation, like a city with broken-down walls.

1 Samuel 25:17, 25“You need to know this and figure out what to do, for there is going to be trouble for our master and his whole family. He’s so ill-tempered that no one can even talk to him!” . . . “I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent.”

A hot temper causes a great deal of damage to ourselves and others. Words spoken in anger are often the most hurtful and the most memorable. Self-control is a sure defense against angry words that can alienate those we love.

Proverbs 22:24-25Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.

A short temper can be contagious among a group of like-minded people. The anger of a single member can cause a frenzy in a dangerous mob. Much violence has been caused by individuals who lead their friends astray.

1 Samuel 20:32-33“But why should he [David] be put to death?” Jonathan asked his father. “What has he done?” Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.

Ephesians 6:4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

A bad temper allows anger to destroy relationships, as when Saul’s anger with David overflowed in an angry outburst at his son Jonathan. It is far easier to break a relationship than to repair it.