APRIL 20

RULING OUR OWN SPIRIT

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

One might soar high with speculation on how the “saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom”, to rule and reign with Christ. There is truth in this rare vision that shall be fulfilled. But long before man is ever to be a partaker of this realm, he will have been thoroughly abased before the Lord in true humility. All sense of personal ascendancy will have been purged out, so that our only desire will be to see the Lord glorified.

Learning to rule one’s own spirit is not easy; in fact, it requires that our spirit be joined to His Spirit, so that we are fortified and strengthened in the inner man, and thus able to gain control of all our emotions and impulses. The many moods of the human nature are not easily governed, the depressions, the restlessness, quick reactions to frustrations, all require a careful up girding to the truth and the divine nature of Christ. Many find it easier to govern others, exercise a rule over empires, while they cannot bridle their own emotions, and crucify the lusts and passions of their own flesh. It may sound altogether too practical and down to the “nitty-gritty” of daily living, but it is on this realm and level that the qualifications are being made for the spiritual positions to be revealed in due time.

“And he that ruleth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city.” Ah, we would like to be recognized as OVERCOMERS, so we glory in the display of accomplishment, and the hero of the battle is openly known and admired. But who sees and exalts that humble, quiet individual who has learned to control his or her own spirit? Who? GOD DOES! Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God is looking at the heart, and the inner conditions of the soul that has been fully subjugated to His will. Till it can be truly said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” (Psalm 103:1).

A spirit gentle as a dove,
To manifest the ways above,
A life that’s holy, filled with love.

Ray Prinzing

Sister Doris Prinzing
1130 Allumbaugh St. Apt 257
Boise, Id 83704-8700

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