Patience and temper are two qualifications of a good life. Patience and temper enable us to do well in our relationships with others and show a great deal of love and consideration. In the Bible, patience and temper are explicitly praised and encouraged.
What does the Bible say about Patience and Temper?
The Bible speaks frequently of patience. It calls us to be patient in any situation that is challenging and difficult. In Romans 12:12, it is written: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” The Bible also speaks to us about patience in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
The Bible also encourages temper. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul instructs us to “always be humble and gentle.” Further, in Colossians 3:12-13, he encourages believers to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” The Bible provides us with a great example of temper in Jesus. He was gentle and never responded with anger or reproach.
These Bible verses emphasize the importance of patience and temper in both our spiritual and practical lives. Patience and temper help us to keep our cool and stay at peace regardless of the situation. They allow us to remain humble and gentle when faced with difficult decisions and circumstances. Patience and temper also serve as key ingredients in healthy and fulfilling relationships with others.
In addition, the Bible makes it clear that patience and temper can be cultivated. The Bible encourages us to rely on the Lord through prayer and study of His Word. As we pray and read through the Bible, the Lord will equip us with His Spirit, enabling us to remain patient and temper our responses in any given situation.
It is important to recognize that patience and temper can be challenging to master. It is not easy to be patient and temper our responses in the face of difficult people, situations, or circumstances. However, the Bible provides us with the guidance we need and encourages us to rely on God’s grace and strength as we strive to develop our patience and temper.
Understand the Reason Behind Patience
The Bible tells us that patience serves an important purpose. We can see in James 5:7-8 that “patience [has] its perfect work, that [we] may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” If we are patient and temper our responses, we will be able to better understand the situation at hand.
The Bible also promises that God will help us to be patient and temper our responses. In Psalm 25:14, it says, “The Lord will guide me in the paths of righteousness for his namesake.” The Lord will not only lead us in understanding the reasons behind our patience, He will also provide us with the strength to achieve it.
In addition, the Bible teaches us the value of meekness and gentleness. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says: “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” As we learn from Jesus, we can remain gentle and meek, showing no anger or aggression in any situation.
Further insight into developing patience is found in Proverbs 14:29: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Here we learn that patience is more valuable than power; in other words, Godly patience is more powerful than worldly strength.
Finally, Proverbs 15:18 reminds us that “a wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.” This is yet another reminder to us of how important it is to remain patient and temper our responses in order to avoid arguments.
Develop Patience to Reap Future Benefits
The Bible encourages us to stay the course with patience so that we can enjoy the future benefits. In Galatians 6:9, it is written that “in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart”. We can trust in the Lord that our patience will produce good outcomes.
PROVERBS 15:18 also reminds us that “a wrathful person stirs up strife, but the one who is slow to anger appeases it”. Through patience, we can strive to appease disagreements and cultivate healthy and beneficial relationships with others. This will lead to a more meaningful and worthwhile future.
1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain”. If we remain patient and temper our responses, our labor can be seen as an investment with great rewards. These rewards are often unseen, as they are in the hearts of the Lord.
Romans 15:5 further encourages us to “persevere in patience, making supplication with joy”. God has given us His word, so that we can rely on Him for strength as we persevere in patience. We can also call on God for joy and peace, even as we strive to remain patient.
Finally, Ecclesiastes 7:8 teaches us to “endure affliction, for in due time it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” By devoting ourselves to patience, we can enjoy the peaceable fruit of right living that will come with it. These fruits will make all our efforts worthwhile.
Establish a Mentality of Thinking Before Reacting
In James 1:19 it is written that “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.” This verse advises us to have an attitude of listening before reacting. It also encourages us to choose our words thoughtfully and take time to respond when angry.
The Lord gives us guidance in how to react when we are feeling unrighteous anger. Ephesians 4:26 says “Don’t sin by letting anger control you”. We can control our reactions when we are faced with difficult people, situations, or circumstances by establishing a mentality of taking a few moments to think before reacting.
Further insight into developing a patient and temperate attitude is shared in 1 Peter 3:13-14: “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” Our faith in God can help us to remain temperate in difficult situations.
The Bible also tells us that God’s grace is sufficient to help us be patient and temper our responses in difficult situations. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “my grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” We can rely on the Lord’s grace to help us be patient and temper our reactions.
As we strive for patience and temper in situations, we can look to the words of Proverbs 14:29 that remind us “he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” This verse shows us the value that patience has over those with might and power.
Practice Patience and Temper for a Positive Outlook
Patience and temper are intertwined and can be developed with practising over time. Colossians 3:12-13 says “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” The Lord will help us to forgive those who have wronged us and forgive ourselves for any mistakes.
Paul also offers guidance to us in 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” This verse encourages us to remain unified by showing patience towards all. It reminds us that maintaining peace is possible by being patient and tempering our reactions.
We can also read in James 1:4 “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” If we strive to be patient and temper our responses, we can enjoy completion and lack nothing. This will bring us closer to the Lord, while also creating a more positive outlook in our lives.
The Bible assures us in Hebrews 12:1 “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” By being patient and tempering our reactions, we can run with faith and assurance in the race the Lord has set before us.
Finally, Joshua 14:12 says “Now therefore, I pray thee, give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said.” If we trust in the Lord and show patience and temper, He will provide for us in every situation, no matter how great the challenge.
Faithway.info, your online sanctuary for deepening your spiritual journey and mastering the teachings of the Bible. At Faithway.info, we are passionate about making the wisdom of the Bible accessible to everyone, fostering a community dedicated to growth, understanding, and support.