…“take heed to your spirit….“Malachi 2:15
The spirit of the believer should be characterized by forbearance, humility, and love; he is exhorted to put away all anger, wrath, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice; and to put on bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering and to be ready to forgive. A bitter, contentious, censorious spirit, is just the opposite of the Spirit of Christ; and an unforgiving person cannot be a Christian, for Jesus has said, Except ye forgive men their trespasses, neither will My heavenly Father forgive you. Take heed then to your spirit, lest it be said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Learn of Jesus; He was meek and lowly; patient and forbearing; kind to His enemies; and ready to forgive. A proud, contentious overbearing disciple, cannot expect to have fellowship with a humble, lowly, and broken-hearted Master. Beloved, let us watch over our spirit; he that rules his own spirit, does more than he that conquers a city; and a spirit that is not under control, is like a city with the walls and gates broken down; open to the enemy on every side. Lord, sanctify my spirit!–James Smith, 1840
Come, blessed Spirit, heavenly Dove,
Descend on balmy wings;
Come, tune my passions all to love,
And strike the peaceful strings;
Let every action, thought, and word,
Bring honour to my holy Lord.
