Proverbs for Life
Proverbs 25:28 – “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
In the book of the Proverbs, a proverb is often presented in two lines, presenting a comparison or contrast. However, Proverbs 25:28 is a single line that presents a comparative picture concerning an unrighteous characteristic.
Proverbs 25:28 – “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
In the book of the Proverbs, a proverb is often presented in two lines, presenting a comparison or contrast. However, Proverbs 25:28 is a single line that presents a comparative picture concerning an unrighteous characteristic.
Interpretation (Content)
The comparative picture of this proverb concerns a mismanaged, rundown, unprotected city – “. . . is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” The city itself is broken down, and the walls of the city have ceased to exist as any form of protection from outside attack. Such mismanagement of this city leaves its inhabitants in a shameful and threatened position. In fact, this city is easy prey to the attack of the enemy.
The unrighteous characteristic of this proverb concerns an individual who has no governing rule over his own, inner spirit so as to restrain its selfish outbursts – “He that hath no rule over his own spirit . . . .” First, we must note that this is a matter of inner attitude. The focus of this proverb is not upon outward activity, but upon the inward attitude of an individual’s spirit. Indeed, the Lord our God is greatly concerned about our inward attitudes and about the governing restraint that we place upon them.
Second, we must note that this is a matter of personal responsibility. We are personally responsible to develop a governing restraint over our own spirit. We have no Biblical right to blame others when we lose control of our own spirit. Indeed, others may have engaged in provoking us, even as the enemy might engage in attacking the city. Yet the lack of governing restraint upon our own spirit is our own sinful failure, even as the broken down walls were the failure of the city’s management.
Third, we must note that this is a matter of serious consequence. Just as a city with broken down walls is easily conquered by the enemy, even so an individual without governing restraint upon his inner attitude is easily overcome by our adversary the devil. As a roaring lion, our adversary the devil is walking about seeking whom he may spiritually devour (1 Peter 5:8). Such an individual is easy prey, easily taken and easily devoured. Such an individual is without any protection in the evil day of temptation. Such an individual cannot withstand the wiles and wrestlings of the devil. From the perspective of righteousness, such an individual’s character is in a shameful condition of a shameful testimony; and from the perspective of unrighteousness, such an individual is easily overcome and easily spoiled.
Integration (Context)
Now, the idea of an unrestrained spirit could be applied to many different categories of attitude within our hearts. Yet the broader context of the entire book of the Proverbs seems to focus its attention upon a single category – the spirit of anger. Proverbs 16:32 states, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Herein the idea of ruling (maintaining dominion) over one’s spirit is placed in parallel with being “slow to anger.” Also Proverbs 14:29 states, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Herein the idea of being hasty in spirit (short-spirited, or short-tempered) is placed in contrast with being “slow to wrath.” Thus we may conclude that having no rule (governing restraint) over one’s spirit is to be defined as being impatient, short-tempered, and quickly provoked to anger, yet not just to external displays or outbursts of anger, but even more to the internal spirit (attitude) and meditations (thoughts) of anger. Be warned, my beloved brethren, the less restraint that we have over our angry spirit, the more displeasing is our character in the sight of our Lord; the more shameful is our testimony in the sight of those around us; and the more easily overcome are we at the attacks of our spiritual adversary.
Instruction (Contact)
So then, we must first repent concerning any manner in which we have been unrestrained, impatient, and easily provoked in our spirit. We must not blame those who provoke us. We must take personal responsibility for our own, sinfully unrestrained spirit. Indeed, we must repent thereof and seek forgiveness from the Lord our God and from those around us.
Furthermore, we must develop a deep conviction that an unrestrained, impatient, easily provoked spirit makes us easy prey spiritually unto sinful temptation and sinful destruction. Indeed, we must develop such a deep conviction that we also develop a driving concern not to have such a characteristic of an unrestrained, impatient, easily provoked spirit in our hearts. Yea, we must develop a driving conviction to be transformed in character by the power of God’s Spirit through the truth of God’s Word.
Finally, we must recognize that we cannot actually rule (maintain a governing restraint and dominion) over our spirit in our own strength. We must yield ourselves under the governing and guiding influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit and must depend wholly upon the almighty and all-sufficient grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The comparative picture of this proverb concerns a mismanaged, rundown, unprotected city – “. . . is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” The city itself is broken down, and the walls of the city have ceased to exist as any form of protection from outside attack. Such mismanagement of this city leaves its inhabitants in a shameful and threatened position. In fact, this city is easy prey to the attack of the enemy.
The unrighteous characteristic of this proverb concerns an individual who has no governing rule over his own, inner spirit so as to restrain its selfish outbursts – “He that hath no rule over his own spirit . . . .” First, we must note that this is a matter of inner attitude. The focus of this proverb is not upon outward activity, but upon the inward attitude of an individual’s spirit. Indeed, the Lord our God is greatly concerned about our inward attitudes and about the governing restraint that we place upon them.
Second, we must note that this is a matter of personal responsibility. We are personally responsible to develop a governing restraint over our own spirit. We have no Biblical right to blame others when we lose control of our own spirit. Indeed, others may have engaged in provoking us, even as the enemy might engage in attacking the city. Yet the lack of governing restraint upon our own spirit is our own sinful failure, even as the broken down walls were the failure of the city’s management.
Third, we must note that this is a matter of serious consequence. Just as a city with broken down walls is easily conquered by the enemy, even so an individual without governing restraint upon his inner attitude is easily overcome by our adversary the devil. As a roaring lion, our adversary the devil is walking about seeking whom he may spiritually devour (1 Peter 5:8). Such an individual is easy prey, easily taken and easily devoured. Such an individual is without any protection in the evil day of temptation. Such an individual cannot withstand the wiles and wrestlings of the devil. From the perspective of righteousness, such an individual’s character is in a shameful condition of a shameful testimony; and from the perspective of unrighteousness, such an individual is easily overcome and easily spoiled.
Integration (Context)
Now, the idea of an unrestrained spirit could be applied to many different categories of attitude within our hearts. Yet the broader context of the entire book of the Proverbs seems to focus its attention upon a single category – the spirit of anger. Proverbs 16:32 states, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Herein the idea of ruling (maintaining dominion) over one’s spirit is placed in parallel with being “slow to anger.” Also Proverbs 14:29 states, “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Herein the idea of being hasty in spirit (short-spirited, or short-tempered) is placed in contrast with being “slow to wrath.” Thus we may conclude that having no rule (governing restraint) over one’s spirit is to be defined as being impatient, short-tempered, and quickly provoked to anger, yet not just to external displays or outbursts of anger, but even more to the internal spirit (attitude) and meditations (thoughts) of anger. Be warned, my beloved brethren, the less restraint that we have over our angry spirit, the more displeasing is our character in the sight of our Lord; the more shameful is our testimony in the sight of those around us; and the more easily overcome are we at the attacks of our spiritual adversary.
Instruction (Contact)
So then, we must first repent concerning any manner in which we have been unrestrained, impatient, and easily provoked in our spirit. We must not blame those who provoke us. We must take personal responsibility for our own, sinfully unrestrained spirit. Indeed, we must repent thereof and seek forgiveness from the Lord our God and from those around us.
Furthermore, we must develop a deep conviction that an unrestrained, impatient, easily provoked spirit makes us easy prey spiritually unto sinful temptation and sinful destruction. Indeed, we must develop such a deep conviction that we also develop a driving concern not to have such a characteristic of an unrestrained, impatient, easily provoked spirit in our hearts. Yea, we must develop a driving conviction to be transformed in character by the power of God’s Spirit through the truth of God’s Word.
Finally, we must recognize that we cannot actually rule (maintain a governing restraint and dominion) over our spirit in our own strength. We must yield ourselves under the governing and guiding influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit and must depend wholly upon the almighty and all-sufficient grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
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