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Proverbs 16:32 - Patience And Self-Control Far Superior to Power That Can Conquer a City.

Proverbs 16:32 (NIV) Better a patient person 
than a warrior, one with self-control than one 
who takes a city.  

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) Better to be patient 
than powerful; better to have self-control than 
to conquer a city.  

WORD STUDY

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. 

INTRODUCTION

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] 

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] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   A warrior knew how to conquer and master 
a whole city. But these proverbs argue that 
even better is the patient, self-controlled 
person who knows how to conquer and master himself. 
This means that is it harder to master yourself 
than to master others, or even a whole nation. 
There are too many examples of world beaters who 
won prizes or literally conquered nations but 
who could not control their tempers, their 
tongues, or their emotions. 
   In ancient times people with self-control 
and prudence were highly admired over those who 
followed whim and passion. Today self-control is 
often seen as unhealthy. Following one's passion, 
feeling one's anger, and being spontaneous are all 
valued in the world of the creative and 
sophisticated. Yet so many of our most famous celebrities, 
following this pattern, have made a shipwreck of their 
lives. As we have seen, biblical wisdom is all 
about the goodness of emotion, yet it is God's 
Word, not our intuitions and feelings, that must 
be sovereign. 
   Where has a lack of self-control brought 
trouble into your life? 
   Lord, the last of the "fruit of the 
Spirit" (Galatians 5 22-23), self-control, seems to 
be also the slowest to grow in me. I can be 
loving and even humble before I can get control of 
my tongue and behavior. I repent and ask you to 
show me the way forward. Amen. [Gods Wisdom 
for Navigating Life by Timothy Keller with Kathy 
Keller] 

COMMENTARY

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 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Proverbs 16:32 - Patient and/or Powerful?

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190506-1105.html 

Galatians 5:22, 23 - The Fruit of the Spirit.

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240324-0816.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/