If any of us, no matter how good-intentioned or sincerely rational, overreact and lose our temper while discussing a matter, we can easily come across as a nazi or some other fanatical insane person.
Emile doesn't come across to me as a nazi, but I do believe that he is giving a distorted impression of himself to others because he has a problem controlling his emotions and reigning in his temper.
The Scriptures say, "Be ye angry, and sin not..." Eph4:26
It is exceedingly difficult to avoid sinning, losing self-control, when angry.
It is better to try to avoid being angry, when possible and appropriate, because God is the only one who can perfectly control himself when angry.
Thus, the Scriptures that advise, "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." Prov22:24-25
So, though I'm reasoning with Emile and aiming toward peace, I'm following the advice of Scripture and not agreeing, not becoming friendly, with his anger component.
If you can't communicate with Emile without becoming angry yourself, then you are right, you should abstain, according to Prov 22:24-25
John |
