Self Control - Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:32 (NASBStr)
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

This proverb gives us insight about the power of patience and keeping control over our emotions. The comparisons that are made in the proverb are very vivid. Think about a warrior, or many warriors that have the ability to take control of an entire city. Take Chicago as an example. Imagine the power of an army taking control of the entire city of Chicago. That is a lot of power. There would be little that can compare to that kind of power. Yet, Solomon tells us in this Proverb that a lone man, who has control over his temper or emotions, has more power than one of the soldiers, or even more than the entire army. Controlling your emotions gives you great power over others and great wisdom in extreme circumstances.  Notice what Paul says about this concept of “self-control” -

1. Self-control is required at a great athlete/Christian:

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (ESV Strong's)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

2. Self-control is a quality of Godly older men:

Titus 2:2 (ESV Strong's)
2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

3.  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV Strong's)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Notice what we are having self-control over: Our anger.   Anger is NOT a fruit of the spirit.  Anger is not a characteristic of a Godly man.  Anger is not something great Christians demonstrate.   The second line is the opposite of the anger expressed in the first the line.  We are to “rule” our spirit.  The only what that happens is if we allow the Spirit of God to rule us.