Hotheads

Hotheads

Q. We all know people who are faithful but aggressive church goers. I guess we’re the hypertensive-type personalities. But, don’t you think God created some of us to be “hotheads?” We’re the ones who always get things done and don’t put up with people who let things slide. Any thoughts on this? Anything wrong with it?

Answer:

Holy Hotheads

Just so you know I share your frustration because I am one of those hypertensive personalities myself – with high blood-pressure to prove it. For example, in college I was the one who made sure the school’s apartment-housing allowed foster kids into the units when they denied them access. I fought for a special education program for several of our special-needs children. So I guess I was a “fighter” or a Holy Hothead!

But, does that mean I was always right?

Shoving Solutions at Others

No. Shoving issues in the face of other believers is not necessarily the correct way to get something done.

My goal may be right. But, the way I get something done can be 100% wrong.

Therefore, when I stand before the Lord in judgment it won’t surprise me if those things I considered “good” may end up as “loss” because of my poor attitudes and behaviors in earlier days. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Distinction between Short-tempered & Patient

As I’ve grown older I recognize that there is a clear distinction in the Bible between someone who is a gifted organizer and someone who is short-tempered and easily provoked to anger.

Nowhere in Scripture is a “hot head” equated with a “virtuous” person.

Instead, repeatedly Christians are reprimanded or encouraged to be humble, harmonious, kindhearted and peaceable. In fact, we are always to seek peace whenever possible.

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18, NASB).

“Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Nagging Whiners

An attitude of anger always isolates us from others. No one likes to be around people who have a short-fuse and who consistently make us feel badly for perceived short-comings and misdeeds. Angry people quickly become lonely people! They are “nags.” Nobody likes nagging whiners.

Anger Leads to Arguments

By keeping apart from hot-tempered people we find it is easier to keep our peace and allow God’s Spirit to work in us to achieve His goals and righteousness. We keep ourselves from malice and heated arguments.

The psalmist warns, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm” (Psalm 37:8).

The wise writer of Proverbs strongly suggests, “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul” (Proverbs 22:24-25, NLT updated, 2007).

The World Values Hotheads

It is clear that the world values hotheads and fighters. For example, in the wonderful sci-fi series Star Trek Voyager, B’Elanna Torres is the half-Klingon feisty, strong-willed lady who quickly takes offense and “blows her cool” at the slightest provocation.

Surprisingly, B’Elanna is portrayed as fit, sexy and desirable. B’Elanna hates the Cardassians and is a member of the Maquis Rebellion. She is prone to frequent, aggressive outbursts. But, to the author’s credit these are traits B’Elanna fights to control.

Is B’Elanna someone to admire?

A False Worldview

No – Not for Christians.

We need to clearly teach our children and Bible Study group members that this is a false worldview.

There is nothing admirable about B’Elanna’s nasty temperament. However, for those of us afflicted with hypertensive personalities we are to strive to always pursue peace, seek out friends who have even, steady personalities, and be ready to accept insults and hostilities from others with a grace that can only come from Christ. I suppose in that sense B’Elanna’s struggle against her own short-tempered behaviors is something to emulate.

Unforgiveness in the Last Days

Paul tells us that in the Last Days people will be angry, hostile, and irreconcilable. This means that many of our current associations will be unforgiving and hostile people (see 2 Timothy 3:3).

But, we are to seek better for ourselves, our families and our churches. We are to strive for godly wisdom and peaceful behaviors in everything we do.

Reacting with Gentleness

Hostile anger tends to produce ungodliness and evil motives in all of us. Reacting to anger with anger almost always intensifies the problem.

Yet, responding with wisdom and gentleness almost always calms the angry people around us. This is how God wants us to respond to anger, strife, arguments and hostilities.

Always remember that the verse “Be angry and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26) has to do with “righteous indignation” or anger at evil. Nowhere does the Bible tell us to “vent” unrestrained anger. We are not to avenge wrongs against us.

That is God’s job (Romans 12:19).

Developing Fruits of the Spirit

So let’s work to develop the “fruit of the Spirit” in our lives (Galatians 5:22) and reject those traits and qualities that are ungodly and from the world (Galatians 5:19).

…”the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control – against such things there is no law.”

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