I have never seen a child who could get so angry so fast. If Thomas felt slighted in the least, his body would stiffen, his nostrils would flare, his eyes would glaze over, and in a matter of seconds, somebody would be at the wrong end of his fist! Only a few days into the beginning of the school year, in my first teaching job, I returned to my classroom from a break to find Thomas going after another student because of words exchanged during lunch. I realized then that Thomas’ temper was going to be a challenge. When he went into his “anger mode,” it took everything I had to “talk him down.” Thomas and all those who hung around him had reserved seats in the principal’s office.

Today’s passage needs little commentary.

Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV)
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.

The double “do not” makes the meaning clear. A friend who is easily angered will hurt you. Maybe physically, maybe emotionally, but they will bring pain into your life. If you escape being the recipient of their wrath, you may get caught up in the emotional frenzy and participate in their rampage against someone else.

Scripture is profound as it describes the eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God who sent his Son as a substitutionary atonement for our sin, imputes our sin on Jesus, and imputes his righteousness on us. And Scripture is profoundly practical when it says—if you see a hot-tempered person, for goodness sake, whatever you do, keep your distance from them.

Father, thank you for the practical advice you give. Help us to obey your instructions. Give us discernment in relationships for our sake and yours. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.