Rule Thyself by J. M. McLellan

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1856

Rule Thyself.

By J. M. McLellan

"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls." Prov. xxv, 28.

Here God hath chosen an old dilapidated city, without walls or fortifications, to illustrate an individual that has no rule over himself. Such a city has nothing in which its inhabitants can trust. Its outworks are all demolished, its defenses are all in ruins, and such a city is in no condition to resist an enemy; it would fall an easy prey to every enemy that came against it; it would require no siege to take it; there would be nothing to lay siege to; there would be nothing for an enemy to do, but march through the city and receive the quiet submission of its inhabitants. So is a man that hath no rule over his own spirit. He has nothing in which he can trust when the enemy comes against him, but his own strength, which he will find in the hour of trial a broken reed, a thing of nought. A person thus trusting in his own self-sufficiency, will take no pains to fortify himself by making an alliance with Him who has promised to succor all who will apply to him for aid, that he might throw around him an impenetrable bulwark, that he might be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph. vi, 11. This bulwark consists of the girdle of truth, the breast-plate of righteousness, being shod with the gospel of peace, having the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. This bulwark is impenetrable; and he that is hedged in round about with this, Satan can never conquer. Although he may bring against him his strongest weapons, he can never move him, because he is planted on the rock, and the gates of hell cannot prevail against him. But he that hath no rule over himself, instead of allying himself to this true Friend, will pride himself on his own strength and think himself secure until that old serpent called the devil and Satan which deceiveth the whole world has made such rapid approaches that almost before he is aware he is led captive by him at his will.

Some, Satan takes through pride, others he allures through the lusts of the flesh; and some through the love of the world; and when these weapons fail him he will make self so sensitive, that it will be hurt at every trifle.

Thus you see that an individual that hath no rule over himself is indeed like a city without walls. Such a person is in a deplorable condition; for that same Devil that went up and down through the earth in Job's time, and that desired Peter that he might sift him as wheat, is now as a roaring lion walking about seeking whom he may devour. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Rule with diligence thyself. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The same Jesus that stood as Peter's Advocate and prayed that his faith fail not, is also our Advocate; and if we will but cast our care upon him, for he careth for us, he will surely help us and give us his Spirit to reign in and over us, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand . . . and be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

The perils of the last days are fast thickening around us. Satan is to work with all power and signs and lying wonders, just before Jesus comes. John [Rev. xii, 12] says, "Wo to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea; for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And Jesus in speaking of these very times of deception and peril, says that if it were possible they (the spirits of devils) shall deceive the very elect. Matt. xxiv, 24.

How necessary then it is, that we rule well ourselves and have our wills completely subdued and brought into subjection to the will of God, and that the carnal mind, or the mind of the flesh, be exchanged for a spiritual one. Rom. viii, 4-7. An individual cannot rule his spirit in a scriptural sense until this is done; because the carnal mind is enmity with God; therefore a person that is in the possession of the carnal mind, will obey it in the lusts thereof; and I would say to all who have not made the exchange, Make it without delay; for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. It is a glorious exchange, a great bargain, without price; it is a free gift through Jesus Christ our Lord, given to every one that will humbly submit to him; and all that will thus submit to him, will get to themselves great honor; for Solomon says that he that ruleth his spirit (is better and mightier) than he that taketh a city. Prov. xvi, 32.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light; for now it is high time to awake out of sleep, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. Rom. xiii, 11, 12, 14.

J. M. McLELLAN. Hastings, Mich., Sept. 30th, 1856.