Self-control

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control,” 2 Peter 1v6 (AMP)

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25v28 (NLT)

The Apostle Peter by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is encouraging that yes we have the promises, and faith, but in addition to that, we should employ every effort in developing virtue, and knowledge, and self-control. Yup – self-control. Self-control can be seen as “control or restraint of oneself or one’s actions, feelings, etc.” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/self+control?s=t). How many people have gotten themselves into trouble because they could not control themselves. But we have the Spirit of God on the inside of us and “… the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].” (Romans 8v22-23, AMP). Galatians 5v16 (NIV) says “So I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

Child of God, there is a need to exercise self-restraint in different aspects of our lives. In what we eat for instance. Fasting from food could be difficult, but it is possible and rewarding. You can restrain yourself from food! Again Proverbs 23v1-3 (NLT) says “While dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is put before you. If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat; don’t desire all the delicacies, for he might be trying to trick you.” Basically, know to restrain yourself in what you eat and how you eat in this type of setting. And there may be others that will present themselves as well that you need to control yourself for instance while dining with a potential employer. Proverbs 16v32 (NIV) says “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.” Remember “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1v7, AMP). Amen.

Prayer

Our heavenly Father, we thank You so much for Your Word. Father, I thank You because You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, and I accept that and say amen to it, in Jesus name, amen.