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!
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.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
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!
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.