“A man of understanding has a cool spirit” (Prov. 17:27 AMP).

In our day, the word “cool” has taken on a new significance. Among our youth, it is often considered the height of sophistication to be thought of as “cool.” An individual who is “cool” is “street wise”, “mod”, “chick”, “avant-garde”, “hip”.

A “cool dude” is one who has “got it all together”—he’s in control of his own life and destiny. Everything about him is “cool, man, cool”. He listens to “cool music,” drives a “cool machine”, is always seen in the company of “cool chicks.”

Thus, the word cool is something of a buzz word to indicate those who are on to something or who have something that the rest of dull society is missing.

As far as we know, Solomon was the first man to use the word cool when he wrote: …a man of understanding has a cool spirit. Wise Solomon was not trendy. His primary interest was not popularity or peer group acceptance. He didn’t follow fads or conform to the latest fashions—especially not in spiritual matters.

Neither will a man (or woman) of understanding. The truly spiritual person is cool because he is disciplined and even-tempered. He doesn’t blow up, lose control, give vent to emotional outbursts, show temperament, or give in to moods.

In the original Hebrew, the word translated cool is qar (kar) and is defined as “quiet, calm, composed.” The person with a “cool” spirit is self-possessed, free of anger, passion, or resentment. He is what every Christian should be.

One writer has stated it well: “The ideal for all of us is to have a cool head and a warm heart.” Let’s be cool the Bible way!