Make Every Effort: Peter's Fervent PleasSample

Day 7: Self-Control Keeps Our Knowledge Centered

As our knowledge builds, we need self-control. 1 Corinthians 8:1 reminds us that knowledge can make us feel conceited and arrogant. We need the self-control that the Holy Spirit builds into us, to remind us that every good and perfect gift comes from God alone, and so we need to control our attitudes, keeping goodness flowing from us, and not replacing it with a know-it-all attitude. The enemy of our souls is always looking for a way to steal our faith and trust in Jesus, so we need to always be on the alert because “our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour,” (1 Peter 5:8) and always keep our eyes on Jesus as declared in Hebrews 12:1-3.

Second Timothy 1:7 says: “the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” One part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Did you notice I said “fruit,” not “fruits?" The Holy Spirit doesn’t dole out a list of fruits so that we can pick and choose what we like. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit is multifaceted, and will all be displayed in our lives as we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us completely.

Galatians 5:22-24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” So, if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, self-control will be evident.

Titus 1:8 says that if we want to be a leader, we “must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”

And Titus 2:11-13 tells us we need to be self-controlled so that we are ready for Jesus to come back: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Paul knew that we are all tempted, and he didn’t want to lose his testimony by succumbing to any temptation, so here’s what he said in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Reflection: Are our lives out of control, sloppy, undisciplined, and falling for every temptation that the enemy of our souls brings along? May we choose to eagerly move forward in the joy of Jesus Christ, disciplining our bodies and our minds, so that we more and more clearly reflect God’s glory! What exciting manifestation builds on our self-control?