Proverbs 29:11

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about controlling your spirit:

Proverbs 29:11

A fool always loses his temper,

But a wise man holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11 (ESV)

A fool gives full vent to his spirit,

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Those who lose their temper find a way to show their character.   When we see someone loses their temper that is a picture of the inward portion of their lives.   It is not that the wise man doesn't have the same emotions or feelings as the fool.  This proverb makes it clear they both have inward emotions that are susceptible to explosion.    However, the fool is consistent at not controlling his emotions and the wise man is consistent in holding them back.  The reason for this is that "self-control" is a fruit of the Spirit.  Since the Spirit is at work in the wise man's life he has the ability to control those emotions via faith.   The fool, only protected by his own flesh, has no way to control his temper.   He can only let it go like a flood over the dam.   Wise man can hold it back.   But, their wisdom comes from God just as their constraint comes from the Spirit.