week 2: self-control
thursday
Self-Control is Holy Spirit Led
”And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:16-17
Whether it’s with your eating, listening, speaking, spending, exercising, or spiritual disciplines, self-control is needed. Self-control is needed everywhere because we are constantly in a battle against our flesh! In fact, self-control we can see being necessary within all of the other fruits God desires for us to grow in, because the fruits of the spirit are not to be looked at as separate things but all pieces that belong to one puzzle.
The Necessity of Self-Control:
It takes self-control to show godly LOVE instead of lust and infatuation—to love others not as the world loves, but as Christ loved us. (Ephesians 5:2).
It takes self-control to have godly JOY when we are facing a difficult situation in life. (1 Peter 1:8).
It takes self-control to get along with others and make PEACE instead of constantly getting into conflict. (Matthew 5:9).
It takes self-control to PATIENTLY bear with others rather than quickly condemning them. (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
It takes self-control to not automatically look out only for yourself but KINDLY look out for other people. (Philippians 2:4).
It takes self-control to do GOOD, to go through the narrow gate toward life instead of the evil, wide gate toward destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14).
It takes self-control to be FAITHFUL and not have our faith shattered by the mocking of scoffers. (2 Peter 3:3-4).
It takes self-control to be a GENTLE servant of the Lord (2 Timothy 2:24), showing compassion and mercy with real love as God does with us.
Questions to Ponder:
Do you have difficulties restraining yourself from what you know isn’t good for you?
Do others describe you as calm and collected or erratic and uncontrolled? Why?
Is your first reaction to something a fruit of the Spirit or a loss of control? Why?
Today’s Reading: