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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 166

STUDY 166

Text: Proverbs 16
29 August 2004

Dear Parents,

A BI-PARTITE HUMAN BEING
The human being is essentially made of two parts. There is the physical aspect that is visible. There is the spiritual part that is invisible. All too often, the focus is on the physical aspect of life. The lack of training of the spirit is a great loss to the individual.

THE CONTROL OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT
Let us be challenged to focus on the training of the human spirit. Let this word challenge us mightily.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32

1. The angry person

Anger is not an emotion. Anger comes from the spirit of a person! When a person has no control of his anger, it simply means that he does not have control of his own spirit.

2. The ruling of the spirit

Can the spirit be ruled? The answer, mercifully, is YES! It is possible to rule one’s spirit! But God must be included in this vital training programme.

3. The value of the control of the human spirit

How valuable is it to be able to control the human spirit? We are told here that the person who rules his own spirit is better than the person who conquers a city! That is quite a statement. May this thought motivate us mightily.

THE TRAINING OF THE SPIRIT OF MAN
How does one actually train the spirit of a person? Let us look at the following suggestions. Let us look at three vital steps that must be taken!

1. Salvation of the individual is a must!

At salvation, God not only forgives the individual, He takes an active interest in the born-again believer. A new and special relationship is established!

2. Growth of the believer

The believer must ever seek to grow in his new-found life in Christ.

3. The yielding of the human spirit to God

There must be a conscious yielding of the spirit to God Himself for training!

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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