Self-control.
Solomon once said, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32). Napoleon said there are two forces in the world - the sword and the spirit. He also said the spirit can always defeat the sword.
Although this is a qualification for an elder (2 Timothy 3:2), it also applies to all Christians. As a matter of fact, all but about four of the qualifications of elders apply to every Christian. This is the "temperance"(KJV) or self-control which is one of what we call the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:6). Of course, this is something that must be learned by most of us. The brothers James and John were called "Sons of Thunder", but now John is known as "the Apostle of Love." We must all work on this in our own lives.
A leader must be in control of body and mind. This does not mean he is not passionate, but he is always in control. There is an old quote that I have seen in church bulletins for years. It goes like this... "A man is like steel. It he loses his temper he is useless." There is simply no room for a short fuse in the Christian's life.
How can one lead others if he is not in control of himself?
No comments:
Post a Comment