Self Restraint: An Essential Requirement
Proverbs 25
KJV
28+ He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
I am not a chef, nor do I have any cooking experience, but anytime I taste a delicious meal I often ask to know the “what” and “how”. The answer I usually get always points to the “ingredients “ used.
I am told by the “experts” that for a meal to pass the test, it must have the right proportions of ingredients.
I found this knowledge relevant and applicable to life. For any life to be called a good life it must have in proportion all virtues. Virtues such as honesty , trustworthiness , politeness , respectfulness etc. Most important of all is “self-restraint”.
As the above scriptures state, “self-restraint” “ self rule “and “self-control” must be part of what it takes to be a good-natured man.
To hold one’s spirit in check no matter what the situation may be, is more to be preferred than anything else.
Read it again
Proverbs 16
KJV
32+ He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
It does not take much to take a city but it takes much to rule one’s spirit. To take a city is an external warfare but to rule one’s spirit is internal which is the toughest. This explains why not many can rule their spirits!
To be unable to rule one’s spirit is simply to be lacking in character, unprincipled, because character is the anchor that holds a person in check amid human storms!
You may have been at some meetings where there were outbursts, tempers flaring and the atmosphere was thick and tense. This is because someone failed to ‘rule his spirit’!
To be around people who have mastered the art of self-restraint is a joy and a delight, Conversations and discussions are conducted in a low tone! Anything said no matter how unpleasant does not provoke outbursts, silence is maintained! Each at the meeting has learned to swallow his pride!
Take note, when two people standing close to each other speak (shout) to each other in a high tone then know that they are out of sync. They’ve both failed to rule their spirits.
So, how do we self-restrain (rule) our spirits? It begins with self-respect which is then extended to others.
The next is acceptance; to accept that all men are not the same in terms of thought and practice; there will always be differences. Make room for divergent views and opinions, speak/express yours respectfully and politely.
Not everyone knows what you know, In life some are above you, while others are below in many respects. So factor this into your dealings with people. Learn from the one above you, and teach the one below you.
Learn to agree, and or disagree, know what is essential and what is not. In essentials stand firm on nonessential give way to liberty!
Walk away from anyone who is lacking in character and is unprincipled! Avoid the “noisy”, these are vexations to the spirit
Always remember, in the midst of the unwise, it would be foolhardy to be wise. As a proverb says so “ save your breath to cool your porridge “.
Always remember this;
Proverbs 9:8-9
NIV
[8] Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. [9] Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
Above all, exercise maximum self-control by putting a heavy padlock on your lips among provocateurs. Be deliberate and conscious.
Finally, be patient towards all;
Ecclesiastes 7
KJV
8+ Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9+ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Thoughts to share
John Franklin Tamakloe