Strong Men

Robert E. Lee, "I cannot trust a man to control others if he cannot control himself."

Proverbs 11:16, “…strong men retain riches.”

In recent years the records set by weight lifters has been incredible. In 2016, Eddie Hall set a record for Max Deadlift, by lifting a staggering 1,102 lbs. That same year, Brian Shaw, in the Max Atlas Stone, lifted 552 lbs. onto a 4ft platform. These are weights and feats that the average untrained man is unable to perform. As amazing as these tests of skill and strength are they do not reveal the real inner strength of a man.

Strong men retain riches, repeat this verse several times to yourself, let it turn over in your thoughts for a few minutes and the truth begins to reveal the true nature and accomplishments of “strong men.”

Strong men are not men that spend their days and efforts building muscle mass and techniques that allow them to lift hundreds of pounds. Strong men are not those who are able to led armies into battle and conquest. Strong men are not those who have the ability to manipulate others into submission or compliance. Strong men are not those dominate men who are determined to get what they want no matter the cost or obstacles. The world is filled with men that match these descriptions and yet we are in dire need of strong men in our marriages, families, relationships, churches, schools, places of employment, in the government, etc.

A strong man is the man that has the ability to govern himself. A man that retains riches, is a man that has learned to tell himself, “NO!” It is a man that is not controlled by the desires of his flesh, the whims of his heart, or the inclinations of his emotions. He is a spirit-filled man that is able to rule his own spirit.

"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)

I want to encourage the men of OPBC, young and old, to be strong men. Rather than trying to “rule” everyone around you, rule your own spirit. Take heed to the Word and rule your thoughts. Make a covenant and rule your eyes. Submit to the Holy Spirit and rule your actions. Keep your heart right and retain your riches.

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."  (Romans 13:14)