Don’t make friends with an angry man, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Proverbs 22:24 HCSB
As parents of four children, my wife and I always monitored their selection of friends. We knew that it was important for our children to select friends that would serve as positive influences. We encouraged them to stay involved in our church youth group and invested for them to attend youth camps, retreats, and special events as a way of cultivating Christian friendships. We also encouraged our children to bring their friends to our home so we knew with whom they were spending time and what they were doing.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of selecting friends and especially avoiding those who are subject to instant outbursts of rage. Angry and hot-tempered would not be qualities that we would seek for a friend to exhibit. We have all seen people who anger easily and have witnessed the destruction that often follows. Anger is an emotion that God created, however it is only when directed towards that which is evil or unjust it can be positive.
Challenge: Be careful in selecting your friends. Surround yourself with friends that will be positive influences in your life. Make sure you keep your temper and anger under control and you will find yourself friend-worthy.