Lunch Bite February 16, 2021

“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16:32, ESV)

A simple Proverb for a big problem.  The problem an unruly and angry spirit.  Our world seems dominated by anger today.  There is a public anger against those who believers know are caught up in sin.  Yes, they may very well may be but this should not affect us and we should not fall into sin because others sin.  This we do when we allow our spirit to be unruled by God’s word and His commandment to love everyone.  Scripture gives us a way to respond to those that we can, who are caught up in transgressions. But guard yourself.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1, ESV)

Public anger is one aspect of an unruly and angry spirit.  The other aspect is a far greater danger and involves private (personal) anger concerning our situations, frustrations, and circumstances.  When things do not go our way in life, we begin to lose control over our flesh, we justify feelings and thoughts.  Then those thoughts and feelings become out of control actions.  Those actions will result in consequences that may affect your life for many years.  This passage says that one who controls themselves wields more power than the mightiest warriors or leaders.  It takes far less power to rule the spirit internally than when the internal desires become external sins in our life.  Like a snowball released at the top of the mountain is far easier to stop and control than the avalanche it will become at the bottom of the mountain.  Our spirit is best controlled and ruled internally.  The wisdom of God given through Solemn in this Proverb is to fight the battle, while it takes great might, internally where it can be won and keep control over your life with lots of small victories every day.  Many wars against sin have been lost because we do not control and rule our spirit internally.