Self-control - we have to exercise it because GOD gave us free will to choose how we live. Sometimes I want GOD to do everything for me, and other times I wish He would leave me alone. But that is emotion talking. Deep in my spirit, I know the freedom we have as Christians contains the need for self-control.
For full show notes go to hopesharbor.net
Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions
Episode #38
Title: Self-control – because GOD won’t (control us)
Date: January 24, 2022
Contact: info@hopesharbor.net
Key verse(s): Gal 5:23 – 25
Galatians 5:23– ‘…gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:24 – ‘And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:25 – ‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.’
From G1722 and G2904; strong in a thing (masterful), that is, (figuratively and reflexively) self controlled (in appetite, etc.): - temperate.
Self-control in the NKJV is called temperance in the KJV. It means strong in s thing, masterful as in to master a gluttonous appetite.
Intro: Civilized society depends on individuals exercising self-control. It is a choice we make whether to control our behavior without external forces making us comply.
We see this in the need for law enforcement because of people who choose to ignore the laws of their nation.
Children often don’t understand the need for rules and must be taught. When I encounter a teenager, for example, who doesn’t want to follow the rules, either at home or school, I invite them once they come of age to drive to try driving on the opposite side of the road from what all other drivers are on and to let me know how it worked out for them.
And it doesn’t end with teenagers. What about children in adult bodies who are on the road to destruction because they refuse to exercise self-control.
What brings someone to such stubborn, destructive behavior? I had only to remember my own teenage and early adult years to find an answer.
Devotion focus: Self-control is ours because GOD isn’t in the robot business -
Sometimes I want GOD to do all for me and other times I wish He would leave me alone. This is paraphrased from Oswald Chambers’ devotion in Utmost for His Highest.
GOD in His love for us will go to great lengths and supreme efforts to protect us from ourselves when it comes to a lack of self-control The Bible has stories of people who did things their way knowing the danger. And they paid a price.
Moreover, GOD makes it abundantly clear what behavior is acceptable and behavior that is destructive.
He then gives everyone the freedom to choose. And this is because we are free moral beings. Evidence of this is when it comes to love. Do you want someone to love you because they must?
It may be hard to understand but there are people in this world who will manipulate others for their love. They use money, power, and influence. But what they gain, is it really love? I’ve wandered a little off-track here by trying to make a point of how and why GOD allows us the freedom to choose to live for Him and this requires self-control.
But what are we controlling when it comes to ourselves? Ah, here we go…
Before going through some examples of lack of self-control, I’ve struggled with each one of these.
Money – twice as many people getting married during 2021 are in debt compared to 25 years ago.
According to Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/divorce-money-issues-financial-relationship
Show notes at HopesHarbor.net
