Bible Reading: Proverbs 25, 26; 2 Cotinthians 9
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” – Proverb 25:28 (KJV).
It is evident from daily experience and encounter with people that so many people have no control over their spirit and emotion. Some people, to say the least, are emotional time-bomb that explodes at the slightest provocation. They display very terrible and frightening temperament which they vent on others from time to time. For some, it is a case of helplessness which some make little or no effort to check, haven accepted their temperamental weakness as a way of life.
One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is temperance which is the ability to control one’s spirit or temperament. New birth and indwelling of the Holy Spirit equips the believer in Christ with a new nature, a new spirit and a new heart. It becomes easier for a person to rule his spirit after the new birth. Not only is the believer in Christ given a new nature, he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit who teaches, helps and enables him to rule his spirit.
The word of God and the Holy Spirit put a level of restraint in the actions and activities of the believer. As one devote quality time in God’s presence through prayer and spends quality time with the word of God, one is harnessed or tamed by these dealings that bring transformation and discipline. The fruit of love, peace, joy, temperance, goodness and other godly attributes become evident over time with these encounter with the word and the Holy Spirit. Self leadership is the ability to rule the thoughts, words, choices, decisions, actions and the spirit.
The Holy Spirit is ready to heal and empower you to rule your spirit if you let him do so. Failure to rule over one’s spirit makes one vulnerable to the devil, to sin and to satanic activities. It also opens doors to offences. One cannot have the best of relationship or even the best of life if one fails to rule over one’s spirit.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant me the grace to rule over my spirit.
Rev. Vincent Diolu