THE CANDLE OF THE LORD

The biblical verse from Proverbs 20:27, “The spirit of a man (woman) is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the man (woman),” offers a powerful lens through which to view our inner world. If we interpret the “spirit” as a person’s attitude, the lens through which we approach life, this verse suggests that our attitude illuminates our emotions, thoughts, and reactions for all to see. In Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, the word “spirit” means “the panting of those who are angry.” Anger is a universal human experience, which is one of the characteristics imparted to us when God made man in His image. However, like all other emotions, one must be disciplined to control it instead of it controlling us.

Attitude as the Candle

When we view the spirit as our attitude, it becomes the driving force behind how we navigate emotions like anger. Attitude reflects our mindset, our predisposition to respond to situations with optimism, resilience, or, conversely, negativity and hostility. Anger, while a natural emotion, can dim the candle of our attitude when left unchecked, leading to impulsive reactions or lingering resentment. The “inward parts” represent the deeper layers of our psyche, our subconscious triggers, past hurts, insecurities, or unprocessed emotions that fuel anger.

Cognitive psychology emphasizes that our attitude toward anger determines its impact. For example, mindfulness-based approaches teach us to observe anger without letting it define our actions. By aligning our attitude with the “candle of the Lord,” we invite the Holy Spirit to illuminate these inward parts, helping us understand the root causes of our anger. Jeremiah (17:9) warns us that the heart is "desperately wicked and deceitful above all things; who can know it?" The candle of the Lord can help us to know ourselves. This introspective process, akin to therapies like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), fosters emotional regulation and self-awareness, allowing us to respond rather than react.

Soaring Above Anger

I once read a book by a famous motivational speaker during the early 2000s entitled “See You at the Top” (Ziglar & Mayton, 2000). In it, he pictured one’s attitude as an airplane, capable of rising to great heights or descending into severe turbulence. The attitude of a plane or the position of its nose determines its directionality. A nose that is pointed upward causes the plane to rise, whereas one pointed down will cause it to descend. The “altitude of a plane” symbolizes the perspective we adopt when anger arises. A low-altitude attitude, marked by defensiveness or blame, keeps us stuck in conflict. In contrast, a higher altitude, rooted in empathy and clarity, long-suffering and gentleness, allows us to see anger as a signal rather than a sentence.

Psychological research on emotional regulation supports this idea. Techniques like cognitive reframing help us shift our attitude by viewing anger-inducing situations from a broader perspective. For instance, instead of seeing someone’s criticism as a personal attack, we might reframe it as an opportunity for growth, to better ourselves. Studies in positive psychology show that adopting a growth-oriented attitude enhances resilience and reduces the intensity of anger. Like a pilot adjusting the plane’s altitude to avoid a storm, we can adjust our attitude to rise above anger’s grip, maintaining peace and clarity.

Ziglar, Z., & Mayton, A. (2000). See you at the top (p. 0). Pelican Pub..

A Check-Up from the Neck Up

Sometimes we all need a “check-up from the neck up.” This phrase urges us to examine our mental and emotional state, particularly when anger fuels “stinking thinking,” negative thought patterns that amplify our distress. In psychology, these patterns include cognitive distortions like catastrophizing (assuming the worst) or personalization (taking things too personally), which often escalate anger. For example, thinking, “They always disrespect me,” can turn a minor slight into raging strife.

To counter stinking thinking, psychologists recommend strategies like journaling or cognitive restructuring. Journaling allows us to externalize anger, identify triggers, and reframe distorted thoughts. For instance, replacing “They always disrespect me” with “Their comment or lack thereof may reflect their stress, not my worth” shifts our attitude toward understanding. Spiritually, this check-up aligns with inviting the Lord’s light to search our inward parts, revealing where anger has distorted our perspective. By regularly examining our own attitude, we keep our inner candle burning brightly, free from the haze of destructive thoughts.

Heaping Coals of Fire

The biblical concept of “heaping coals of fire” (Romans 12:20) encourages responding to evil, or in this case, anger, with kindness. Most people I have talked with perceive this scripture as an injunction to go after anyone who has slighted them or done them wrong. This thought process completely ignores the many principles within the word of God about praying for one's enemies and the Golden Rule of doing unto others as one would have them do unto us. When the proper historical significance is explained about the coals fo fire verse, the understanding aligns with God's desire for our actions.

The early Jewish people would designate a house to nurture a fire throughout the night, while other homes would sleep. Early the next morning, the night’s guardians of the fire would rake coals from the fireplace and place them on a piece of pottery. The eldest son would place the warm pottery container on his head and step out into the cold night air and beat a path to each house, leaving a coal for them to kindle their fire for all their daily needs, such as cooking. The warmth of the coals would keep the young man warm as he went about doing good to each family. This counterintuitive approach can de-escalate conflict and transform relationships. Responding to anger with empathy aligns with the principle of reciprocity, where positive actions often elicit positive responses. For example, responding calmly to an angry outburst can disarm the other person, creating space for dialogue or negotiation.

Research shows that acts of kindness, even in tense situations, reduce stress and increase feelings of connection. When we choose to “heap coals of fire” by offering understanding instead of retaliation, we not only diffuse anger in others but also cultivate peace, which is a mandate from scripture. “Follow peace with all and holiness without which no man (person) shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Not just holiness, but peace as well is a prerequisite for seeing the Lord.

By viewing our spirit as our attitude, we see how it acts as the candle of the Lord, guiding us through the complexities of anger. It is not a sin to have anger. But it is a sin when anger has us. Elevating our mental altitude helps us rise above reactive emotions, gaining perspective to handle anger constructively. A regular check-up from the neck up keeps stinking thinking under control, ensuring our attitude remains aligned with clarity and purpose. And by heaping coals of fire through kindness, we transform anger into opportunities for connection and growth.

Reflect on your own attitude toward anger. What triggers the dimming of your inner light? How can you adjust your mental altitude to respond with wisdom? Where can you offer kindness to transform a conflict? By nurturing a positive, resilient attitude, you allow the candle of the Lord to illuminate your inward parts, guiding you toward peace and understanding.

Let’s keep our attitude burning brightly, shining light on anger and transforming it into a force for good. Hmmm. That reminds me of the attitude of the Holy Ghost, which is symbolized as a gentle dove that has no gall of bitterness. I think I will keep my nose pointed toward the heavens so I may be more like Jesus. :)