Proverbs 17:20 – He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Proverbs 16:32 – He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Don’t be a crank!  The Bible word for crank is froward.  Froward according to the 1828 means

Perverse, that is, turning from, with aversion or reluctance; not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; refractory; disobedient; peevish; as a froward child.

A person who is froward has trouble finding good in anything.  In other words, they are always complaining and are peevish.  It is something we occasionally expect in young children but not grown adults.  The problem is some people never grow up spiritually or do not recognize their own frowardness.  Frowardness starts with the tongue.  When your bad attitude starts to come out of your mouth and you start grouching at everyone around you, it has gone too far.

The problem is frowardness is a manifestation of a bad heart.  When someone has not figured out how to let the Spirit have control of their heart, they will start to be critical of others in their heart and mind as well.  It is a natural tendency of the flesh.  A froward heart is a heart that is not controllable.  It is ungoverned by the Holy Ghost and will not yield to Him when told to change.  It all comes down to God ruling your spirit and ruling your heart.

So, how does one go about letting the Holy Ghost rule a froward heart.  First you have to put the right kinds of things in your heart.  An extra heavy dose of the Word of God would certainly help.  A little less worldly pleasure and Internet would be good.  Some good, godly books would be a benefit.  An attitude of prayer.  In other words you have to overcome evil with good.  A froward heart will keep you from moving forward with God.  Don’t be a crank.