Prov. 27:3, "A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both."

A. Solomon often had to deal with Wrath and Anger, Strife and Contention.

B. These problems Arise From Folly, but they may be Calmed And Controlled By Wisdom.

C. Anger:

1. Stirs up trouble,

2. Produces strife,

3. Causes failure,

4. At times, leads to death.

D. Yet, Anger May Be:

1. Quieted by wisdom,

2. Turned aside by a soft answer,

3. Pacified by a gift.

E. Men of Discretion learn to control their temper.

F. Strife is often Stirred Up By Sins such as:

1. Hatred,

2. Wrath,

3. Whispering,

4. Contention,

5. Pride.

G. But, strife May Be Stopped by:

1. Terminating the tale bearing,

2. Excluding the scoffer,

3. Separating the scrappers --- But, not without difficulty and even danger.

H. Wise men are Peacemakers and will choose Loneliness rather than a Life of Contention.

Prov. 12:16, "A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent [man] covereth shame."

Prov. 14:17, "[He that is] soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated."

Prov. 25:23, "The north wind driveth away rain: so [doth] an angry countenance a backbiting tongue."

Prov. 19:19, "A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver [him], yet thou must do it again."

A. Anger Produces Strife.

Prov. 30:33, "Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife."

B. Anger Causes Failure.

Prov. 22:8, "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail."

C. Anger Leads To Death.

Prov. 20:2, "The fear of a king [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul."

Prov. 16:14, "The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it."

IV. Anger May Be Quieted.

A. Anger Is Quieted By Wisdom.

Prov. 29:8, "Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath."

B. Anger Is Quieted By Soft Answers.

Prov. 15:1, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."

C. Anger Is Quieted By Gifts.

Prov. 21:14, "A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath."

D. However, Anger May Not Always Be Quieted By Gifts..

Prov. 11:4, "Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death."

V. Controlled Temper Is Wise.

Prov. 14:29, "[He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

A. Controlling Our Temper Allays Contention.

Prov. 15:18, "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife."

B. Controlling Our Temper Is Better Than Power.

Prov. 16:32, "[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city."

C. The Ability To Control Our Anger Is Produced By Discretion.

Prov. 19:11, "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression."

VI. Strife Is Stirred Up By Sin.

Prov. 17:19, "He loveth transgression that loveth strife: [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction."

A. Strife Is Caused By Hatred.

Prov. 10:12, "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins."

B. Strife Is Caused By Wrath.

Prov. 29:22, "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression."

C. Strife Is Caused By Whispering.

Prov. 16:28, "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends."

D. Strife Is Caused By Contention.

Prov. 26:21, "[As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife."

E. Strife Is Caused By Pride.

Prov. 28:25, "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat."

F. Strife Is Perpetuated By Tale Bearing.

Prov. 26:20, "Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." --- V. 22, "The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

G. Strife Is Worse Than Poverty.

Prov. 17:1, "Better [is] a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife."

VII. Strife May Be Stopped.

Prov. 20:3, "[It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling."

A. You Stop Strife By Separating The Scoffer.

Prov. 22:10, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease."

B. However, This May Be With Great Difficulty And Danger.

Prov. 17:14, "The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with."

Prov. 26:17, "He that passeth by, [and] meddleth with strife [belonging] not to him, [is like] one that taketh a dog by the ears."

VIII. Contention Creates Catastrophe.

Prov. 18:19, "A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle."

Prov. 19:13, "A foolish son [is] the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping."

Prov. 27:15-16, "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, [which] bewrayeth [itself]."

IX. Contention Is Caused By Folly.

Prov. 18:6, "A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes."

A. Contention Is Caused By Pride.

Prov. 13:10, "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised [is] wisdom."

B. Contention Is Caused By Drinking.

Prov. 23:29-30, "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine."

X. You Can Cause Contention To Cease.

Prov. 18:18, "The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty."

XI. Loneliness Is Better Than Anger or Contention.

Prov. 21:9, "[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." --- V. 19, "[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman."

Prov. 22:24-25, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul."