Ruling One’s Spirit

He that ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city.—Proverbs 16:32

The growth of debauchery, drug abuse and tolerance for the fancied rights of others has placed the Christian in an environment of temptations. In traditional Christian art, a woman holding a bridle and reins personifies the virtue of temperance. This may provide a picture to our minds of what temperance really is. It is self-control (ASV), self-restraint (New Testament by Henry Alford), self-mastery (Barclay) of our minds and character in all areas of development.

Temperance, Self-control, Discipline

In a recent lecture, one elder offered the following observation: "Discipline is controlled thinking, controlled emotions, controlled habits, controlled speech, controlled study, controlled activities, controlled fellowship, controlled prayer, controlled tempers, controlled judgments, controlled truth perceptions, controlled in every case by the holy spirit. Without discipline there would be little change or improvement. The Lord wants to mold the soft and pliable qualities we possess into the likeness of his Son. Without discipline these qualities will become calcified and misshapen. Soon these qualities, if we are not disciplined, will bear the image of the old man and not the image of the heavenly pattern that is put before us. The longer we delay in this discipline the harder it is to fit into the Christ-mold."

"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."—Romans 8:13

The quality of the new nature’s character is in direct proportion to the commitment to discipline and self-control.

"This I can pray with confidence, for his divine power has gifted us with everything necessary for life and godliness, because we have come to know him who called us to share his own glory and excellence. And this is the very reason why you must make up your minds to make every effort to equip your faith with virtue, your virtue with knowledge, your knowledge with self-mastery, your self-mastery with fortitude, your fortitude with godliness, your godliness with Christian friendliness; your friendliness with love. For if you possess these virtues, and if you keep on growing in them, it will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive on your road to an even deeper knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. If any virtues are lacking in a man’s life, he is blind and short-sighted, and has forgotten that his life has beencleansed from the sins that once defiled it. Brothers, you must be all the more eager to confirm the fact that you have been called and chosen. If you live like this, you will never collapse on the march, for then the way into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will open even more generously to you."—2 Peter 1:3-11, Barclay

Coaching Encouragement

Earlier in his walk, the apostle Peter was given a very special commission, "Strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32). As word spread of the persecution under Nero, it must have sent a shudder of terror among the Christian communities in the provinces of the Roman Empire. To strengthen his brethren, Peter wrote his first letter. But now a new enemy was endangering the church and Peter needed to address this directly. This new enemy was closer to home in the form of false teachers. Trials, disciplines, testing, falling away, greed, exploitation, false words, and secretly introduced heresies were near at hand. In the small community of brethren where love was the theme, storm clouds were gathering to try and test each one. Only the strong and prepared ones would stand victorious when it was all over. The best preparation for meeting such opposition is a well disciplined attitude. It was time to remind them once again.

"This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder." (2 Peter 3:1) It was time to gird up their minds once again. (1 Peter 1:13) In those days when flowing robes were worn, girdles were used for two purposes: 1) They kept garments in their proper place, away from hindering work that was being done; and 2) they were an aid when fortifying strength while lifting heavy burdens, much as weightlifters wear special belts. Not only would the girdle prevent someone from tripping, it allowed more work to be accomplished with less fatigue or danger of injury. "Gird up the loins of your mind." Discipline was needed to bring the thoughts of the mind back into the right track. It also meant that activity was anticipated. You wouldn’t gird yourself to rest, but when you have decided to take on a task requiring work and effort. The Christian task is never easy.

The Whip of a Resolute Will

"The action of the mind should be kept under control. When the thoughts begin to wander, it is time to whip them into order. A resolute will will do it. Every true disciple has often found that the work he took up painfully from a sense of duty became to him a source of joy. On this path are the shining footprints of the Master." (R977)

Peter knew what suffering was like. He had been in prison. Peter knew what it was like to experience betrayal. He witnessed Judas betraying the Master. Peter knew how the mind could turn the closest of friends into denying such friendships when times were tough. Oh, he knew, all too well, the bitter weeping and agony which he had experienced first hand.

Peter was there when our Lord agonized in the garden as the high priest’s men were about to arrive. He was probably informed of the words of Jesus in prayer as he anticipated the suffering that was ahead. Jesus asked if it were possible for this cup to pass from him, but nevertheless, "not my will, but thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

Very few people get through life without a good deal of suffering of one kind or another: physical suffering, mental suffering or heart suffering. One of the strange ways of providence is that many have to suffer in the very way in which they would rather not suffer. There is comfort in the example of Jesus’ suffering. There is comfort in the assurance that when God is bearing down extra hard, it is to bring out the best aspects of our character, to refine the gold, tried in fire. As Paul observed, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).

A well-respected Christian banker was asked what would be the best investment for the Christian. He pondered the question a moment and finally said, "Invest in gold." The response was a little unusual. Surely other investments like McDonald’s or Microsoft held a better return than gold. Then the banker explained his answer: "Invest in gold tried in the fire." Christian character needs our attention. Discipline and self-control are to be the focus. The quality of the new nature’s character demands an active purging of the dross and a willingness to submit to the heat necessary to refine the character.

Temperance: Love in Training

Temperance is the self-control and discipline that applies love to our daily actions. Such discipline can relieve suffering in the Church. Peter knew that with trouble ahead, the brethren would need each other. Peter applied such discipline in his life. He encouraged the brethren to be hospitable. "Be hospitable to each other, without murmurings" (1 Peter 4:9). This love in training is not something that is instantly developed. It grows. Those who have some today, may have more of it tomorrow, still more of it in a year; for it is a matter of development.

Peter had a home in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14) where Jesus stayed when in the area. Peter was one of the apostles sent to prepare the Passover feast. It was Peter’s home that was opened to Paul’s visit for 15 days while in Jerusalem (Luke 22:8; Galatians 1:18). Beck translates verse 9, "Welcome one another as guests without grumbling."

Paul supports this in 2 Corinthians 9:7,12: "Everyman according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God."

When brethren feel welcome, it can counteract the feeling of loneliness. Hospitality can relieve suffering and strengthen the bond of brotherhood. In the atmosphere of hospitality, matters of the heart and the truth can be discussed. Comfort and encouragement as well as mutual support and correction will abound in such arrangements.

"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister let him do it as of the ability which God giveth" (1 Peter 4:11). What brethren say can make a difference. It can counter the adverse affects of false teachings and this is what Peter was warning the brethren about in his epistle. Many false teachings could have been nipped in the bud early on had discussion and dialogue been encouraged.

"But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings."—Jeremiah 23:22

Speaking as the oracles of God, exercising the truth when we meet together, can fortify the brethren. It takes discipline. It takes self-control to make an effort to meet together when the flesh would prefer other choices. Whenever the flesh gets in the way, it is time to whip it into order. Every true disciple has often found that the work he took up painfully from a sense of duty became to him a source of joy.

Letting Go

Peter knew the testing period that lay ahead for the brethren. The test would come in subtle forms and maybe not so subtle approaches, but with direct challenges, all with the one end in mind—to encourage the brethren to let go and give up.

Peter could recall his own experience. Shortly after the Master had died the apostles were perplexed as to what they should do. The Master’s resurrection inspired them with hope, but they didn’t know what direction to pursue. Jesus had appeared to the disciples a few times, but then they did not see him for many days. They became discouraged and said, "There is no use waiting; I will go fishing." Two others said, "We will go with thee." They were about to go into the fishing business and leave the work of fishing for men. This was a testing time for the disciples. Peter recognized that this test would come to the brethren at the hands of scoffers, trying to pry the flock away from the fold and back into the business of the world.

Peter remembered an experience one day in Capernaum. Our Lord had been preaching to a large group of disciples (John 6:60) but the message was difficult for them to accept. Many walked away never again to follow the Master.

"From that time on many of his disciples turned back and no longer remained with him. ‘Do you too want to go away?’ Jesus said to the twelve. ‘Master, who could we go to? You have the words of eternal life, and we are convinced and sure that you are God’s Holy One.’"—John 6:66–69, Barclay

The one who replied to Jesus’ inquiry was Peter. After tasting of the delicious feast which the Lord has provided, where else would we go and expect to find anything better? We would starve spiritually if we went to any other than the Lord’s table. We know not where else to go. Peter wanted to instill this very same response in the hearts of the brethren not only then, but also down at this end of the age. He knew that he would not be there to answer every doubt or fear, so he encouraged the elders to carry the responsibility.

"The elders who are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed; Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."—1 Peter 5:1–4

Peter gives the elders the same commission that Jesus had given to him earlier in his ministry, "Feed the flock." Tend the flock as a shepherd tends to the sheep. The responsibility of an elder not only sets the tone for the flock, but also to "Exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict."—Titus 1:9

When trials come, they are going to be as unexpected as can be; they are going to come from unexpected sources; they are going to manifest themselves in unexpected ways and they are going to be accompanied by other unexpected incidents in your life. Have the right intention, the right motive, the right desire in heart when these trials come. It was the apostle Peter’s desire to prepare the church for these difficult times by stressing the need of temperance, self-control and discipline so that we can stand.

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."—2 Peter 1:8, NAS