An Idea Borrowed

Years ago on a radio program someone shared that they read a chapter in Proverbs every day. Since there are 31 chapters and the longest month has 31 days it allows you to read through Proverbs on a regular basis. I use it as the launch pad for my personal worship time and branch out from there. On this blog I will try to share some of the insights I have in the Word. I will try to organize them in the archive by reference.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

How About a Temperance Tantrum

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

Just like you, I was standing in a check out line and my eyes strayed to the covers of all the popular gossip rags that fill the racks.  It almost seems like a pop-star changing his brand of toothpaste would call for a special edition.  We seem to worship people who act childish and immature.  Maybe it is a desire within us to be totally selfish and not feel guilty.  I don’t know.

What I do know is that the standards of God are different than the standards of our culture.  Take it another step.  The standards of God are different than any culture.  Here is another example.  Proverbs takes a character trait that is the opposite of our idols and tells us, “Be this way.”

A believer “rules” (4910) his “spirit” (7307).  We are not to be “free spirits.”  We are not to be “spirited.”  We are to be controlled.  God gives us that ability by the work of the Holy Spirit. 
(Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)  But the fruit of the pSirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The “temperance” of the KJV is “self control” in the more modern translations.

So?  Self control is available.  Plug it in.  Turn it on.  Walk in righteousness. 

2 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

From your title, I thought maybe you were going to talk on the evils of alcohol! Good post; self control is sadly lacking in most people these days.

Pumice said...

Sorry to disappoint you but I could not control myself.

Grace and peace.