{"id":3788,"date":"2012-09-27T01:00:02","date_gmt":"2012-09-27T08:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=3788"},"modified":"2012-09-26T23:34:04","modified_gmt":"2012-09-27T06:34:04","slug":"raising-super-hero-peacemakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/27\/raising-super-hero-peacemakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Raising Super-Hero Peacemakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 20:3, NKJV).<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t take any special talent or strength to start a quarrel.<\/strong> Any fool can do it; it comes naturally. Any mother can attest to that fact.<\/p>\n

In contrast, Proverbs 16:32 says,<\/p>\n

\u201cHe who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The person who is patient and slow to become angry is a champion.<\/strong> He is better than a military hero! The Hebrew word for \u201cmighty\u201d in this verse is the same one used to describe Goliath. It\u2019s the word used to describe a \u201clion which is strongest among beasts\u201d (Proverbs 30:30), and is used over and over in reference to warriors and to the \u201cmighty men of valor\u201d who were the strongest and bravest in the armies of the Old Testament.<\/p>\n

David was described as a mighty man of valor, and he surrounded himself with a company of mighty men. These men were at the front of the ranks, scaling walls of cities, killing enemies almost single-handedly, and leading armies for the good and protection of others. They were the super-heroes of their day, the Old Testament equivalent of our modern military special forces, such as the Green Berets and Army Rangers, the Navy Seals (and Captain America)! These guys would have been Medal-of-Honor recipients!<\/p>\n

Proverbs 16:32 also says that the man who rules his spirit is better than the one who takes a city. Not many people conquer cities.<\/strong> It\u2019s hard work. It takes strength, courage, and self-control. In the same way, controlling our spirits, not losing our tempers, and not quarrelling with others, takes great strength \u2013 strength that we will never have on our own. Only God can give us that kind of strength.<\/p>\n

We and our children, by God\u2019s grace, can be better than super-heroes!<\/strong> With the Holy Spirit working in our hearts, we can become patient, valiant<\/em> peacemakers. Let’s follow our Captain into battle and take our sinful thoughts and emotions captive. If you have children who lose their tempers and who quarrel with others (and who doesn\u2019t?), use this study<\/a> to help you learn more about mighty men<\/strong> (your kids will love Eleazar\u2019s dad\u2019s name).<\/p>\n