A major mark of maturity is discipline. Recently, Jodi and I were hanging out with our 18-month-old grandson. Of course, he is perfect (to us). Watching his mind work as he scurries from point to point, toy to toy, and person to person is more entertaining than NASCAR. He has limits, however, and when he comes up against one look out! One morning, he was exceptionally tired and was not to be denied. He asked me for something, and I told him, “No” to which he went into a full-on meltdown. He thought that a display of anger and frustration would force my hand. Of course, it didn’t, but it was a good example of what it looks like when an immature person doesn’t get his way. This came to mind as I read from today’s reading in Proverbs:
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor. – Proverbs 12:16
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing – Proverbs 12:18
It’s not uncommon in our present age, particularly with social media, to watch grown folks act like toddlers. Something they dislike happens, and it is as if they go into full-on meltdown and attack mode. They begin slicing and dicing, plunging verbal daggers into their perceived opponent with relentless disregard for anyone or anything else.
Do you ever wonder what the desired outcome is?
Do they hope that their opponent will be won over by their tirade?
Do they expect that the onlooking audience will suddenly become their advocates?
Do they see the Name of Jesus suddenly elevated in the eyes of others?
I suspect that none of these things even enter the thought process. Like the immature man, or the unbridled horse, or the tantrum-throwing toddler, they seek only to display their own emotions, opinions, and frustration.
God calls His people to better. Furthermore, good manners among people who could not care less about God drive the mature and the wise to hold onto a word and choose better when forming a response.
Mature people choose discipline, focus on the goal, and acting accordingly in the moment. As Grandma used to say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
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