Devotion, “Self-Control”

"Self-Control"

 

Christian self-control is defined as the ability to control one's emotions, behavior & desires in order to live a life that is pleasing to God & others.

When we "try" to practice self-control it starts a battle between a divided-self that produces desires we should not satisfy, but instead control. The ultimate goal is to "deny" ourselves the sinful, guilty pleasures we "think" we need and instead pick up our cross and carry it daily.

Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the fruits of the sprit are essential when leading a Godly life; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and lastly "self-control."

I am majorly guilty of coming face to face with self-control daily. I have three children ranging in age from 1 year to 9 years old. My patience is tested daily, but as I learn the love languages of each of my children, I become well equipped to practice self-control.

From the time I was 17 years old until about a year ago, I have had a very rocky, unstable, selfish, non-self-controlled relationship with my Mother. I love her dearly, but because we think in a different way we always butted heads. It wasn't until I started developing my walk deeper with the Lord that I realized a few things. First, I couldn't "always" be right about every situation. I had to learn through self-control to just be quiet and listen. I learned that just like everyone is entitled to their opinion, I am also entitled to "not" have to accept that opinion. Accepting that opinion does not mean that I need to defend myself or act unkind & harsh, it simply means just the opposite, I need to practice love & kindness even more towards my Mother. Second, I learned that not everyone is trying to stomp me down by offering their words of advice, but because I had sins I was battling in my life, their words of concern seemed like bashing moments to me.

So learning to relax, not be so quick to defend, calming down, taking a five minute break to clear my thoughts, putting myself in their shoes and practicing love instead of hatred helped to develop a starting foundation. God would later secure that foundation as I rooted my faith even deeper.

Proverbs 25:28, "Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man that lacks self-control."

A perfect example of self-control is Jesus's sinless nature. He never sinned, not once. He practiced complete self-control one hundred percent of the time. He never wavered in what was right or wrong, just or unjust. He followed God's word every single day of his life. When he was crucified he took our sin so that we may be cleansed in the blood of Jesus Christ. We are free from sin if we live by God's commandments, repent of our sins and act out all the fruits of the spirit daily. Self-control is evidence of faith and the Holy Spirit within our lives.

This world is the most difficult place to practice self-control. I am convinced that the life we are living right now is hell on earth. We battle day in and day out within ourselves to just do what is right. Doing what is right should not be this hard, but it is and the reason it is hard is because doing what is right is pleasing to God. It makes God delighted to see us "trying" to live right and Godly every single day. While God is happy & joyful about our decision to live right the devil is angry and throws up road blocks to try to detour us off track. Learning self-control in all situations will help us to see the devil a mile away and some of those harmful, hurtful and evil acts of pain that he "tries" to bring towards our life will be handled in a Godly sense of self-control.

Doing what is easy feels right; doing what is right has to be learned through self-control.

• Food: It's great let's eat it all and forget about the harm we are doing to our bodies.
  
• Fear: Let's just say the heck with it and be scared of everything our entire lives.
  
• Habits: We all have them, so it must be okay.
  
• Money: I only have 30 bucks in the bank and the dress is on sale for 28, so that's okay.
  
• Relationships: Who needs a commitment, the TV always shows lustful couples doing things with everyone, and it must be okay.
  
• Raising
  Children: They drive me crazy, I will just scream and holler at them, they'll get it.
  
• Debt: I already owe one person; I might as well wait until the world is over and hope my debt is gone.
  
• Exercise: Aw, I look great, 20lbs overweight, health issues & back pain, it will be better tomorrow.
  
• Time
  Management: I can play for 6 hours at work and take a 2 hour lunch break, who will notice.
  

All of these are wrong, not practicing self-control and very harmful to ourselves and everyone around us.

Wise up!! Self-control comes from maturity. Just like a newborn, not only do they need diapers, they must be carried because they lack control & muscle strength to do anything on their own. They have to develop self-control to roll over, sit, stand and eventually walk.

Our inner cravings push and push us to just do whatever feels good, go with the flow, follow the media. We turn away from God to seek our own significance & security. Eventually we fall flat on our face because we will fail every single time we act on our own free will and avoid self-control.

James 1:19, "quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Proverbs 10:19, "Talking too much makes sin unavoidable. The wise person controls how much he says."

Don't go for passion, pleasure & pride, avoid these things and instead replace them with self-control, sincere Godly direction and self-awareness to yourself and others.

You can do this, with Gods amazing grace!

Just remember:

JUST A FEW KEY POINTS:

• Not every issue you face will need a reaction or comment from you.
  
• The way we conduct ourselves publicly is crucial for being an example to others.
  
• If correcting someone doesn't help them grow spiritually, then do NOT say a thing.
  
• Your behavior is being watched by non-believers daily and if you do not portray a calm, delightful, self-controlled image, they will NOT want what you have. What you have is EXACTLY what they NEED!
  
• Our mission is to display an image of Christ and lead others to Him.
  
• One un-controlled word out of your mouth can destroy your witnessing, and can keep others from desiring to have the same faith as you do.
  
• Renew your mind with thoughts that speak power.
  
• Sow seeds of goodness.
  
• Build good habits.
  
• Always do the right thing for the right reasons at the right time.
  

Losing the battle with self-control can be destructible, and hurtful. Don't ruin your testimony by not practicing self-control in a heated moment. It is not worth five minutes of hot headedness to lose 5 people to Christ.

When we are faced with a moment where self-control seems out of reach:

• Take a 5 minute break to cool off
  
• Check your behavior
  
• Watch your tongue
  
• Be obedient to God
  
• Slip on the others shoes 1^st
  
• Pray
  

Always Remember:

• Don't be easily provoked
  
• Don't be quick to speak
  
• Don't be quick to get angry
  
• Don't pass judgment
  
• Don't gossip
  
• Don't cause harm
  
• Don't be impatient
  
• Don't ruin another's chance to know God personally.
  

Treat all people the way you would like to be treated.

God will deliver a multitude of blessings in your name by continuing to practice self-control.

Luke 13:24, "Strive to enter through the narrow door."

You can do this, take one moment at a time, sprinkle a little of Gods favor and bless, then mix it all up with a heavy dose of grace. If carefully prepared, you will see self-control start to rise!

God Bless,

Kylie Davis