Ecclesiastes 7b. Controlled Reactivity (Jody Garner)

Posted: Book of Ecclesiastes, Sermons

Ecclesiastes 7:9
New International Version
9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-22
New International Version
15 In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:

the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overwicked,
and do not be a fool—
why die before your time?
18 It is good to grasp the one
and not let go of the other.
Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.[a] 19 Wisdom makes one wise person more powerful
than ten rulers in a city.
20 Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,
no one who does what is right and never sins.
21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Ecclesiastes 7:9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
9 Do not be quick to anger,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-22
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Riddles of Life

15 In my vain life I have seen everything; there are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their evildoing. 16 Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you should take hold of the one without letting go of the other, for the one who fears God shall succeed with both.

19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise more than ten rulers who are in a city.

20 Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning.

21 Do not give heed to everything that people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you; 22 your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others.