You know as well as I do that anger cuts off communication, isn't that right? An angry answer evokes what? An angry response. That is generally what takes places. A soft answer turns away wrath. Every parent knows this is the case. Every school child knows this is the case. Every college student knows this is the case. We are to be quick to hear and slow to anger. And when anger rises, we are slow to hear, isn't that the case? In discussions, in debates, we do not hear what the other person has to say, and further difficulties arise.
What is anger? It is a deed of the flesh; it is contrary to the Spirit. Paul talks about the deeds of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness, self-control. You see, the problem is: too much anger. Let us repent of that...wherever it occurs in our lives, and be quick to hear and slow to anger. Why is that so necessary? One of the reasons it is so necessary is that in the end, those who are angry and go to their graves consumed with anger, are far from the kingdom (of God).1
Dennis Prutow
11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.