Proverbs 29.11
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
The word used for holding back our temper is the Hebrew word shabach, which means “to soothe or to still” something. Here it is used of anger that rises up within us. The word for “spirit” here is ruach, which means “spirit.” In this context it refers to any strong emotion or impulse, especially anger.
The wise person learns to hold back their spirit when it wants to react in anger. In other words, the wise person exercises self-control and is able to soothe or still impulsive emotions.
The discipline of self-control is a core principle in the book of Proverbs and in the Christian life. In an earlier devotional, I described self-discipline as a foundational virtue. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25.28)
In biblical times, a city whose walls were broken down had no defense against an enemy. In the same way, a person who has no discipline, willpower, or self-restraint has no defense against temptation, false teaching, or impulsive emotions. Without self-control, we are defenseless when the Enemy attacks. Without self-control, we are wide-open to sin.
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” (Proverbs 16.32)
Again the focus is self-control, and again we see the word ruach … the inner spirit of a person. The clear message: You must rule your spirit! You must manage your emotions and not let your emotions manage you.
The importance of self-control cannot be overstated. It is the final fruit of the Spirit that the apostle Paul gives in the book of Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5.22-23)
Self-control is the critical factor in Paul’s list of characteristics. It is the virtue that determines how effectively we build all other virtues into our life. Without self-control (or self-discipline), we will not operate with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
Self-control in Galatians 5 is the Greek word egkrateia. It comes from the root krat, which denotes power or lordship. Self-control means exercising power over yourself. It is keeping yourself under control. It is discipline over your inner desires, impulses,thoughts, actions, and words. In the language of Proverbs 16.32 and 29.11, it is “he who rules his spirit.”
Egkrateia is the control you must exercise over your life. Powered by the Holy Spirit, it is the cornerstone virtue for spiritual growth and your battle against the old nature.
