Be Cool

(Proverbs 17:27 KJV)  He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

My title doesn’t make much sense in the KJV so read this in the NASB,

(Proverbs 17:27 NASB)  He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

When I listen to my Pentecostal brothers and sisters I don’t know whether to be amused or insulted.  We have all been there.  Years ago we were having a service sponsored by the Ministerial Association.  We were meeting in our church and the main speaker was from a local congregation that was definitely Pentecostal in their worship style.  It didn’t take long for her to get across the point that if I was not raising my hands and shouting “Hallelujah!” then I not only didn’t have the Spirit but it was questionable if I was even saved.  As I kept my hands in my pockets I asked myself, “Where was she at 5:00 A.M. when the Lord and I were having a beautiful time listening to what the Word was saying to me and glorying in His presence?  Where was she when I pulled out my guitar and worshiped with vigor in my living room?” 

I like the NASB here, it tells me that having a “cool” (7119) “spirit” (7307) is a good thing.  As I compare the different translations in my software, many use the word “cool.”  Another idea is “calm.”  There is a place for enthusiasm and raising hands.  The Bible talks about shouting to the Lord.  But it also values the quiet, calm, “cool” spirit also. 

Someone once asked why people will go to a baseball game and yell like a fool about a sport but come to church and sit quietly.  Obviously this person never saw me at a baseball game.  I can sit calmly through the entire game and only stand up when the guy in front of me was blocking my vision.  Just because people get drunk, get in fights and make fools of themselves at a baseball game doesn’t mean I should do it in church.  When I go to a baseball game one of the big attractions is the hot dog and another the guy throwing bags of peanuts.  I don’t think we are advocating that in church, although it might be a winning strategy.  We could write a book, Hot Dog Evangelism.

So?  God gives us different personalities.  Some people cry and hug a lot.  Some people wonder what they are crying about.  God gives different situations.  Some demand fire, some demand cool.  Be what God wants you to be.  Respond the way God wants you respond.  Don’t condemn others who are different and don’t get offended when they try to remake you.