Proverbs 16:32 - Patient and/or Powerful?
Proverbs 16:32: Patient and/or Powerful?
Proverbs 16:32 (NIRV) It is better to be patient than to fight.
It is better to control your temper than to take a city.
Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) Better to be patient than powerful; better
to have self-control than to conquer a city.
Proverbs 16:32 (HCSB) Patience is better than power, and
controlling ones temper, than capturing a city.
INTRODUCTION
NOTE: Self-control for the Christian is really Spirit-control.
The Spirit gives us the tools like patience and self-control to keep
our fallen nature in check.
Self control, especially control of one's temper, is an
important characteristic of wisdom in Proverbs. Here it is commended above
physical power. [Apologetics SB]
One of the most favored persons in the ancient Middle East was
the military hero. Yet this proverb suggests that one who is slow to
anger and who rules his speech is a greater hero than a returning
warrior. Controlling one's rage is more impressive than completing a
daring exploit (see 14:29). [Nelson SB]
Patience and self-control are far more valuable than brute
force. [NLT SB 2008]
A person who is able to control their appetites and emotions is
stronger than the most powerful warrior who sacks a city. [NIV SB 2015]
Self-control is superior to conquest. Success in business,
school, or home life can be ruined by a person who loses control of his
or her temper. So it is a great personal victory to control your
temper. When you feel yourself ready to explode, remember that losing
control may cause you to forfeit what you want the most. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY
Patience And Self-Control: are Growing Virtues.
How often do you get impatient during a typical day? If
you're like me, it's more often than you'd like. It's not only wishing
rush-hour traffic would move faster, but it's wanting people and
situations to happen at our speed and not some slower, unknown pace. You
think, why won't she do the right thing? Why won't he apologize? Why
can't the kids obey me this one time? Why doesn't my boss recognize my
talent? Why do I put up with this?
The sad thing is that many of us show our impatience most
frequently with the people we love. We snap and bite our spouse's head off
with our response. We raise our voices at our kids or follow through
with the consequences we've been threatening. "Don't make me pull
this car over! Okay, that's it!" (Sound familiar, or is it just me?)
It's only natural that we get impatient and want to control
the people and events around us. We want our lives paced to our
preferred speed and not determined by factors that are out of our hands.
But the reality is that no matter how much we think we can control
our lives, ultimately, we have to trust God and his timing.
His eternal perspective reminds us that most of what feels
urgent to us today isn't all that important. So cultivate patience for
those moments - especially with other people - when you're forced to
wait.
Lord, you know how much I struggle with being patient. Today
I want to slow down, relax, and follow your perfect sense of
timing. [Daily Power by Craig Groeschel]
Patience And Self-Control: over the Intoxication of
Uncontrolled Anger.
Avoid Intoxication Through Wrath. One class have come up without
self-control; they have not bridled the temper or the tongue; and some of
these claim to be Christ's followers, but they are not. Jesus has set
them no such example. When they have the meekness and lowliness of
the Saviour, they will not act out the promptings of the natural
heart, for this is of Satan. Some are nervous, and if they begin to
lose self-control in word or spirit under provocation, they are as
much intoxicated with wrath as the inebriate is with liquor. They are
unreasonable, and not easily persuaded or convinced. They are not sane; Satan
for the time has full control. Every one of these exhibitions of
wrath weakens the nervous system and the moral powers, and makes it
difficult to restrain anger or another provocation. With this class there
is only one remedy, - positive self-control under all
circumstances. The effort to get into a favorable place, where self will not be
annoyed, may succeed for a time; but Satan knows where to find these poor
souls, and will assail them in their weak points again and again. They
will be continually troubled so long as they think so much of self.
They carry the heaviest load a mortal can lift, that is self,
unsanctified and unsubdued. But there is hope for them. Let this life, so
stormy with conflicts and worries, be brought into connection with
Christ, and then self will no longer clamor for the supremacy (YI Nov.
10, 1886). {3BC 1161.1}
Patience And Self-Control: Promotes Peace (another Holy
Spirit virtue).
Jesus teaches us that He has given us His very own peace and
that we should stop allowing ourselves to become upset and disturbed
(see John 14:27). I have learned that the more peaceful I am, the
more powerful I am. I am stronger in every way when I hold my peace
in each situation. As the Scripture above shares, the person who
can rule his spirit is, in reality, stronger than someone who would
have the ability to capture an entire city. That is an amazing
statement and one that we should seriously consider.
We encounter situations almost daily that are designed by
Satan to frustrate and upset us. Hold your peace and you will maintain
your power! The apostle Paul teaches that if we go to bed angry
instead of resolving issues that are upsetting us, we give the devil a
foothold in our lives (see Ephesians 4:26-27).
Let the peace of God rule in your heart as an umpire (see
Colossians 3:15). Don't allow unbridled emotions to rule you and steal your
peace.
Jesus, thank You for giving me Your peace. Help me choose to
walk in it at all times! [My Time with God by Joyce Meyer]
CROSS REFERENCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great
understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Proverbs 15:18 Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings
peace.
Proverbs 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a
soft tongue breaketh the bone.
Proverbs 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like
a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Romans 12:12 Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your
troubles, and pray at all times.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does
not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
