Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city. Do not people often say to us, "Conquer yourself "? Can anybody conquer himself? God can conquer him! "Better." Why is a person who conquers himself "better" than a general who takes a city? 1. He is a greater hero; he does a more difficult thing — a nobler deed. Shall I tell you why it is so difficult? Because God meant it to be difficult. When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they were friends with the devil. But God said, in great mercy, "You shall not always be friends. I will put enmity between you." And when boys or girls begin to try to conquer themselves, they find the "enmity": they find what a hard thing it is to fight against their sins. 2. And the reason why it is so difficult to conquer any bad habit is because there are all sorts of powers fighting with that fault against you. 3. It is not only a braver but a happier thing to conquer one's self than to "take a city." There is happiness in one's conscience if one succeeds in conquering something that is naughty; and there is no happiness like it in the world. If you take cities it will not make you happy. When Alexander the Great took nearly all the cities in the world, he sat down crying, because he could not find more worlds to take. But if you try to do good, and gradually conquer your own besetting sin, you will feel within such a peace as no words can describe ! 4. Now, there is another thing — it is not only braver and happier, but something better still — it pleases God. That must be best. Now, the reason why it pleases God so much for you to conquer your sins is because you will be growing like Jesus Christ. (J. Vaughan, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. |
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