Articles
Words Fitly Spoken
Proverbs 25:28 “Whoever [has] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city broken down, without walls.”
Explanation: Without control over anger and passion he has no defense in danger of sin; self-indulgence has mastery over him. When people lose their sense of personal restraint or self-control, they are like a city whose walls have been broken down and is open to attack. We are responsible for saying yes or no. We must restrain ourselves! We put bits in a horse’s mouth to restrain them. God has commanded us to exercise self-control to control ourselves. (Compare 1 Cor. 9:27; James 4:7)
Proverbs 17:14 “The beginning of strife [is like] releasing water; therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.”
Explanation: As soon as the smallest breach is made in the dam or dike, the water begins to press from all parts toward the breach; the resistance becomes too great to oppose, so all is speedily swept away. Like water in a dam, strife grows wider, more intense, and less controllable. Cut off strife before it gets started.
