CONTROLLING OUR PASSIONS

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city!" (Prov. 16:32 NKJV).

Ruling the spirit speaks of character. Our verse contrasts some popular achievements to ruling one’s spirit (character). Thus we want to note that character is more important than talent, position, fame, or wealth.

Character is better than talent – “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty.” The word “mighty” speaks of being strong, of being a champion. There are folks today who are very skilled and strong in sports, but knows nothing about ruling their passions. Men praise these champions, but God praises character instead. It is not talent but character that is our greatest need. The problem in church is not a lack of gifts but a lack of grace.

Character is better than position – “Takes a city.” In politics, to take a city at election time will put one into high position. But the Bible said it is better to control your passions than gain high position. Our society is filled with men who has gain high position, but has loose morals. They can win elections, but cannot control their passions; they can win elections but have little character.

Character is better than fame – “Takes a city.” The taking of cities can result in much fame. Many who take the country in popularity do poorly in controlling their passions. These folks may be famous in their field but they are failures in their conduct. If you have character, you are greater in God’s sight than those who take cities.

Character is better than wealth – “Mighty . . . takes a city.” It is a fact that conquering leads to material wealth. Many great conquerors became wealthy through the spoils of victory. Yet, many of these conquerors have never conquered their passions. Many who conquer the business world and gain great wealth have no morals. Though wealthy in money, they are bankrupt in morals.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Reputation is what men think you are; character is what God knows you are!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Drift away

In Heb. 2:1 we read, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (NKJV).

Drift away is the Greek word pararrheō (παραρρέω = par-ar-hroo-eh'-o). It is made up of two words: “para” which means beside, and “rheō” which means flow. Thus the word means to flow beside, by or past, drift away, slip away. Literally pararrheō means to flow past and so to glide, to be washed away, to drift away. Figuratively, pararrheō means to slip or drift away from belief.

In classical Greek, pararrheō means to flow beside. The word can also be used to describe a slipping or gliding motion. In the Septuagint pararrheō was used to refer to water gliding by. In the New Testament pararrheō speaks of a warning against being apathetic toward the teachings of the gospel. Those who do not give “earnest heed” to the message of Christ are in danger of drifting away.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – No end to Messiah’s government, throne and kingdom (Isa. 9:7)

New Testament Fulfillment – Luke 1:33

Did You Know…

In Gen. 28:12, Jacob had a dream where angels were ascending and descending to earth from to heaven on a ladder. In John 1:51 Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Bible Quiz

What was Lot’s relationship to Abraham?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who was promised that he would not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ? Simeon (Luke 2:25-26).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Good Samaritan”

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion” (Luke 10:33 NKJV).

“Good Samaritan” - The expression “good Samaritan” carries the idea of someone who helps others in need. The Samaritans were scorned by the Jews because of their mixed Jewish and Gentile ancestry. A Jew had no right to expect any help or relief from a Samaritan because of the enmity which existed between the two nations. Yet, it was he, who was not be expected to aid a Jew, who overcame all the usual hostility to show kindness to the stranger. Thus, the Lord Jesus was teaching that a person should be a neighbor to anyone he meets that is in need.

Did You Know – Christian History

Alexander Whyte was born January 13, 1836 in born in Kirriemuir, Forfarshire, Scotland. He was a Scottish divine and Moderator of the General Assembly to the Free Church of Scotland.

Alexander’s faith began when he was young. On Sunday mornings, his hardworking mother, Janet Thomson, took him to the Free Church. In the afternoon, he attended the Relief Church with his grandmother. And on Sunday evening, he attended the Old Light Church by himself. Alexander dreamed of becoming a minister.

Although his mother could not afford to pay for his education, Alexander was determined to learn. He subscribed to a magazine on self-education and paid a younger boy to hold up borrowed books for him so that he could read while be made shoes as an apprentice.

With this learning under his belt, he became a teacher. To keep ahead of the more advanced pupils, he studied late at night after class was done. The following year, a sympathetic minister taught him Latin and Greek so that he could go to university, if the funds were available.

Alexander swallowed his pride and wrote to the man who had fathered him and then abandoned his mother. His father John Whyte had become a successful businessman in New York and so he sent Alexander the money. Teaching factory workers to cover his living expenses, Alexander threw himself into his studies. He graduated second in his class. Because of his own experiences, he never forgot the poor.

Eventually, Alexander headed the largest Scottish church and was a college president. A powerful speaker, in his very first sermon he emphasized the need to focus one’s attention on Christ. Throughout his life, he always stressed the importance of a personal religious experience. Christianity was not just a matter of keeping commandments. Many of his sermons, with vivid illustrations, found their way into print.

Alexander Whyte died quietly in his sleep on January 6, 1921, and was buried in Edinburgh. On his coffin are inscribed David’s words, “I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness” (Psalm 17:15).

A Little Humor

A small girl was reprimanded by her mother for giggling during prayer. “It’s okay, mom,” she explained. “I was just sharing a joke with God.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Calvary is God’s bank for a sick world!”