Scripture
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11, ESV)
Thoughts
Good sense is closely related with being slow to get angry. If people have good sense, they will be slow to anger. However, someone lacking good sense will be quick to get angry. We also see the opposite: If you do not become angry easily, you have good sense.
What does it mean to have good sense? Good sense is much more than book knowledge. It’s practical wisdom, the help that God gives us in interpreting life. Good sense includes both insight and basic “smarts.” It’s God-given discernment that helps us not only to control our tongues, but also to avoid storing up anger.
With God-given good sense, we’re also able to overlook offenses, to resist the urge to dwell on someone else’s sin. We please God when we choose to forgive and put an offense out of our mind, even without the offending person apologizing. In overlooking offenses, we are being the most like Christ.
Application
Do you show good sense everywhere you go? Is your anger different at home than at work? Do you demonstrate more practical wisdom at church than in your private life? Think about this carefully. To be an authentic and whole person, your anger needs to be the same no matter what your circumstances—preferably a slow-building, discerning anger rather than an erupting, demolishing anger. With God’s help, you can overlook or forgive offenses.
In your relationships, is there an instance where you need to let go of anger and overlook an offense?
Prayer
Lord, help me to have godly discernment. Help me to be slow to get angry and quick to overlook offenses. In this particular relationship, I am choosing to overlook this offense and put it offense out of my mind. . . . Continue praying.
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