Homiletic Review Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city. Ruling the spirit is better than outward conquest, because — I. THE SPIRIT WITHIN A MAN IS ITSELF OF MORE WORTH THAN ANY EXTERNAL CONQUESTS. 1. Its inherent excellence. Life in a single individual endowed with intellectuality, conscience and aesthetic feeling, hope, etc., is of more value than any number or extent of soulless possessions: a single spirit outweighs the material globe. 2. It is the object of God's love. He is interested in things, but loves spirits. 3. It is immortal. Empires gone; cities desolate; all else but spirits passing away. II. IT REQIURES MORE PERSONAL STRENGTH TO RULE ONE'S OWN SPIRIT THAN TO MAKE OUTWARD CONQUEST. The outward conquest is through the machinery of circumstance; the inner by one's own resources. III. Self-conquest is better than secular, because it IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH A HIGHER PROCESS OF WARFARE, It drills not with arms, but with virtues. Its manual consists in "whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report." The fight itself pays independently of the promised results. What the control of one's spirit involves. 1. The independent ordering of one's own words and actions. Few are able to determine within themselves what shall be the outcome of their lives. 2. Back of this, self-control involves not only the ordering of one's own conduct, but also the deliberate moulding of one's desires and purposes in accordance with one's best judgment. Reason must check or encourage the feelings. 3. And back of this, self-control involves the deliberate determination of one's own judgment in the light of evidence.It rigidly excludes prejudice. What helps have we for the control of our own spirits? 1. The Holy Spirit: an impartation of peace, purity, and a sound mind. 2. The sense of the presence of Christ: the influence of the knowledge that the greatest and holiest of beings is watching and encouraging us. 3. Engrossment with the great things of God: all life lifted above the plane of its own littleness; meditating the eternal, the spiritual, the mighty laws of the glorious kingdom; and thus unaffected by temporary influences, as the stars are unaffected by the winds. 4. Charity in the heart: a loving man unjostled by enmities, envies, the pinches of pride; an essential serenity. (Homiletic Review.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. |
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