This Proverb says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; Or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.” People with whom we associate can have an impact on our own behavior. There is a tendency to adopt characteristics of our associates.
Generally speaking these are our friends. These are people we want to favorably impress so as to sustain their friendship. Therefore, if one of our friends is hot tempered and given to anger, we too may become hot tempered and quick to anger. This can only lead to bad things.
The Bible says that we should control or resist our impulse toward anger. We should not seek vengeance for a wrong committed against us. Jesus said during his sermon on the mount that if a person strikes us on the cheek we should turn the other cheek. We should not flame the fans of anger with an angry response. Unfortunately, controlling anger is sometimes not easy to do.
Therefore, we should avoid the bad influence of others who may counsel us to take revenge. We should not associate with such people. We should rather seek friends who will influence us for good. That will significantly help us on our rather challenging journey toward Heaven.
