Being in charge.
Being in charge of something is a position of accountability. A leader at work is required to making sure that everyone is doing their job correctly and that it is done. At home a parent or the oldest sibling is expected to make sure that everyone is watched for and that the home is well managed. God has given us that capacity to rule in some way in whatever is in front of us; to take charge and get it done (1Co7:17). The bible tells us that if a man cannot rule his own home how can he rule the church of God (1Tim3:5). We are called to lead by example in everything we do. The Apostle Paul tells us that there are six forms of example we as believers must lead by in 1 Timothy (4:12). He said that we have to lead in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. These six characteristics for leading are found in man’s spirit. They are the ones by which others identify us either as weak or strong leaders.
Proverbs 16:32
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Our spirit, that inner man by which is reflected by our actions is a lamp by which God uses to search inside of us (Prv20:27). Often God visits our inner man or spirit to see what we have been up to and the decisions we have made (Prv16:2). Now the proverbs tell us that he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes or overthrows a city. Ruling your spirit in the scriptures is the same as self-control, and the reason why this better than anything else that we consider the best is because one’s internal condition deals with his/her life outcomes. Being mighty is everyone’s goal in life, and Solomon says that having control of this instinct of anger in the internal man is better than that.
Another reason why it is important to have rule over one’s spirit is because your spirit can sustain you when you are sick (Pr 18:14). If your health is not doing good, but you have a strong spirit your healing has a better chance of happening. The condition of your spirit affects all aspects of your life. It affects your relationships Malachi tells us that if we do not watch our spirit, it can ruin it (Mal 2:15). We make bad decisions when our spirit is weak (Pro 14:29). When ruling our spirit James makes an observation that makes it a challenge to achieve and that is the ruling of our tongue (Ja1:26). He says that not being able to rule that thing in our spirit the tongue ruins our religious practices.
1 Corinthians 7:17
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
1 Timothy 3:5
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
1 Timothy 4;12
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Proverbs 20:27
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs 18:14
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Malachi 2:15
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
Proverbs 14:29
29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
James 1:26
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.