DAILY TEXT, Sunday, November 16, 2025. A patient man is better than a mighty man, and one who controls his temper than one who conquers a city (Prov. 16:32).

Let's examine the Scriptures every day 2025

Sunday, November 16, 2025

A patient man is better than a mighty man, and he who controls his temper is better than he who conquers a city (Prov. 16:32).

How do you feel when a workmate or classmate asks you about your beliefs? Do you get a little nervous? Many of us do. But such questions can tell us a lot about the other person’s thoughts and feelings, and they also give us an opportunity to preach. However, sometimes someone may ask a question in a challenging tone, and we shouldn’t be surprised by that. Perhaps they have been influenced by what others have said about us (Acts 28:22). Furthermore, we live in “the last days,” a period when many are “unwilling to compromise” and are “fierce” (2 Tim. 3:1, 3).

Why is it good to be peaceful?

You may wonder how you can be kind and remain calm when someone challenges your beliefs. There is one quality that will help you: mildness. A mild-tempered person is not easily angered and is able to control their temper when provoked or when they don't know how to respond. (Prov. 16:32) You may think that behaving this way is very difficult. But it is possible to develop this quality. How? What suggestions will help you to be mild-tempered when someone wants to debate your beliefs with you? And, if you have children, how can you help them to defend their faith with mildness?

Why do we say that mild-tempered people are actually strong? (2 Timothy 2:24, 25).

A mild-tempered person is not weak, but strong. Remaining calm in difficult situations requires great inner strength. Mildness is an aspect of the “fruit of the spirit” (Gal. 5:22, 23). The Greek word translated “mildness” was sometimes used to describe a wild horse that had been tamed. Can you imagine the change? From a wild horse to a tame horse—tame but strong.

And what about us? How can we be both mild and strong? We cannot do it on our own; we need to ask God for his spirit. Mildness has proven to be attainable. For example, many Witnesses have displayed this fine quality when others have tried to argue with them, and this has helped others to form a good impression of the Witnesses (read 2 Timothy 2:24, 25). What can you do to make mildness one of your virtues?

What do we learn from Isaac's example?

Many Bible accounts highlight the value of mildness. For example, when Isaac was living in Gerar, the Philistines, the inhabitants of the area, became envious of him and filled in the wells that his father’s servants had dug with earth. Instead of fighting to keep his wells, Isaac moved away and dug others (Gen. 26:12-18). But the Philistines began to claim that the water there was theirs as well. Despite everything, Isaac remained calm (Gen. 26:19-25). What helped him to be mild-tempered even when he was so persistently provoked? He surely learned a great deal from the example of his parents. Abraham acted peacefully, and Sarah was “quiet and mild-tempered” (1 Pet. 3:4-6; Gen. 21:22-34).

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.