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SELF CONTROL
There are many great, good, bad and ugly things out there we have access to. We have the freedom and the self-will to choose what we want to. But it takes self control to choose what is godly and beneficial. Self control is not a self taught virtue or something we can achieve by our strength or ability. It is a fruit of the Spirit; we grow in it and learn to overcome and let go of the temptations and the fleshly cravings as we walk in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Every Christian will face temptations. But no temptation will overtake us that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that we may be able to endure it (1Cor 10:13). Joseph was a young man who was confronted with the temptation to commit a sexually immoral act. Remember he was rejected by his own brothers. He was thrown into the pit. He was sold as a slave. He had nothing to lose. So, what made him run away from that temptation? Self control. But how did he exercise that self control? Not by wanting to obey a set of rules he knew beforehand, but by a growing relationship that he had with God in the midst of his trials and temptations. The Lord was with Joseph.
It takes diligence and discipline in life to finish what God has called us to. Just as in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize, so we need to run that we may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things - food intake, sleep habits and so on. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. So we do not run aimlessly; we do not box as one beating the air. But we discipline our body and keep it under control (1Cor 9:26). As the end draws near, wickedness will continue to increase around us. The more these obstacles, the more we need to be alert to draw near to God and be self-controlled.
The CHALLENGE to Change:
Can you say ‘No!’ to something that you’ve been doing for a long time that is not beneficial? Try it. Grow in self control with your eating, cravings, movie watching, shopping, spending, talking – make your list and pray seeking God’s help to teach you to beat your body down and function in self-control.
There are many great, good, bad and ugly things out there we have access to. We have the freedom and the self-will to choose what we want to. But it takes self control to choose what is godly and beneficial. Self control is not a self taught virtue or something we can achieve by our strength or ability. It is a fruit of the Spirit; we grow in it and learn to overcome and let go of the temptations and the fleshly cravings as we walk in a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Every Christian will face temptations. But no temptation will overtake us that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let us be tempted beyond our ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that we may be able to endure it (1Cor 10:13). Joseph was a young man who was confronted with the temptation to commit a sexually immoral act. Remember he was rejected by his own brothers. He was thrown into the pit. He was sold as a slave. He had nothing to lose. So, what made him run away from that temptation? Self control. But how did he exercise that self control? Not by wanting to obey a set of rules he knew beforehand, but by a growing relationship that he had with God in the midst of his trials and temptations. The Lord was with Joseph.
It takes diligence and discipline in life to finish what God has called us to. Just as in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize, so we need to run that we may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things - food intake, sleep habits and so on. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable. So we do not run aimlessly; we do not box as one beating the air. But we discipline our body and keep it under control (1Cor 9:26). As the end draws near, wickedness will continue to increase around us. The more these obstacles, the more we need to be alert to draw near to God and be self-controlled.
The CHALLENGE to Change:
Can you say ‘No!’ to something that you’ve been doing for a long time that is not beneficial? Try it. Grow in self control with your eating, cravings, movie watching, shopping, spending, talking – make your list and pray seeking God’s help to teach you to beat your body down and function in self-control.
Scripture
About this Plan
We keep talking about change, how much this world needs it. True change is not brought about by the formation of new laws, rather by the transformation of each one’s life. You will find in this Plan a reminder for each day of an area we need to change in and grow, prompting us into Christ likeness and becoming the change this world needs to see and emulate. So…..Got Change?
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