Defer The Divider

Proverbs 19:11  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Discretion is hard to come by in this world, even the Christian World. 

Christians can have their opinions yet also should live in discretion toward their fellow-man.  We can do this by:

-Walking in the Spirit
-Putting off anger, malice, envyings & strife
-Living life in Christian Love
-Forsaking the fruits of the flesh and putting on the armor of God. 

*The DISCRETION of a man DEFERRETH his ANGER

Anger is such an emotional, and often physical, response.  It is brought on by our own psychological interpretation.  Anger most often times is brought on by us feeling threatened or violated in some way.  Some react to anger through RETALIATION.  The external expression of anger is often found in our facial expressions, body language, and at times it is found in public acts of aggression. 

The behaviors associated with anger are warning signs.  Rarely does a physical altercation occur before the expression of anger is exemplified.  The tongue is always the 'un-ruly member'. 

This scripture is saying, Christians should possess the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing a fight or revealing private information.  When we do this, we are postponing what could turn out a bad situation for us and everyone else. 

* It is his GLORY to PASS OVER a TRANSGRESSION

Instead of allowing that 'un-ruly member', that thing that is kindling for fire, to be untamed within us, it should be our prayer--our glory--to go past, leave behind, that offense made by someone else.  It is not our job to keep an eye on transgressions, or to form opinions on someone of which we have no business getting in their business, but it is our job to be prayful and allow God to work out the details. 

Prayer builds the Church.  Gossip often divides it.