Proverbs 22: My Questions About Hot-Tempered People

August 22, 2023 by Chris Francis

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person; do not not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. - Proverbs 22:24

I have more questions than answers on this one. Maybe you all could share your thoughts in the comment section?

Is this saying that being hot-tempered is contagious? That those who are easily angered rub off on others? If I'm friends with a bunch of hot-heads, am I more likely to become a hot--head? If a child has an easily-angered parent, are they more likely to become easily-angered?

Or is he simply stating that hot-tempered people will tick us off and bring out the worst in us because they will pick fights with us and be easily offended by us?

The reaons these questions matter to me is because hot-tempered people need love and friendship in order to grow, so where do we draw the line? Didn't Jesus hang out with hot-tempered people like Peter, who cut off the ear of the high priest when the detachment of soldiers came to arrest him? Didn't Jesus allow James and John to follow him, even though they wanted to call down God's wrath on the Samaritan village (Luke 9:54)?

What exactly is this verse warning us about?

4 Comments

Chris francis Aug 23, 2023 @ 6:57 am

Good night you guys. Thank you for sharing.

Debbie Robertson Aug 22, 2023 @ 10:36 pm

It's funny I think of my dad when he used to say to me Show me your friends and I'll sh
When I was growing up, my dad used to say the saying, "Show me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are. He didn't realize it but he was getting that from the book of proverbs! I think we can be influenced by the habits of our friends if we are not wise and choose our friendships carefully. And, I agree with Tom, a person who often can’t control their anger displays bad character and can be a dangerous companion! Wisdom chooses friends carefully and should make no friendship with an angry man.

Tom Sargent Sr. Aug 22, 2023 @ 3:34 pm

My first take on this was that hanging closely with hot tempered people will be bound to put you in volatile situations because they tend to trigger anger and violence in others. If youre there you can become collateral damage.

Betty Yersin Aug 22, 2023 @ 7:37 am

Wow Chris you do have a point and now you made me think more on this subject. I think Peter, though he was a hot-tempered person, he had a heart for God. If we befriend a hot-tempered person we should know where their heart lies and in that case just guard our own actions to be good, loving, spirit filled people. This is a hard one…

Comments for this post have been disabled.