Devotional - July 23, 2022
Proverbs 16:32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city
Self-control is something most of us want to give up for Lent. Normally, we think about it after experiencing a severe lack of it. And simply put, it's hard to maintain. Our "self" is no laughing matter. Within our soul, ominous things dwell (Jeremiah 17: 9, Matthew 15:19). Better to admit the malice we harbor, than deny it's presence. How can we control it if we deny it is there? I will offer a few suggestions for you to try. Hopefully, you have made some progress in this area already, so my suggestions will add to what you already know. First off, I think it is important that you believe you can live a self-controlled life (1 Cor 10:13). This issue has been around since the beginning of our Bible. Job, the earliest dated book in the Bible, is all about Job's struggle to stay poised while being tested in every respect. In Genesis, Cain was admonished by God to deal with the hatred he felt before it manifested into actions he would later regret (Gen 4:7). Cain was told that he must rule over the sin that was crouching at the door; some interpretations say he must master it. In a literal interpretation, God tells Cain that he will rule over it, but leaves the decision in Cain's hands. Yet, how is it that some struggle and others seem to glide through similar situations. There are many reasons for this, but one pertains to how a person sees themselves in their situation. If one is forever defending their honor, then every situation is an attack that costs them in the end. If a person knows who they are, especially by way of Christ, then they have freedom to be and learn without the effects of undue shame. Paul entrusted himself, who he was, with Christ (2 Tim 1:12). Worldly situation did not detract from his position with God ( Galatians 2: 19-21, 2 Cor 4:10). A second encouragement I would give about living a self-controlled life is to have a purpose in life, a mission. It's easy to give into temptations or lose control when we lack clarity of purpose in our life. The momentum we gather as we pursue our goals and fulfill our purpose offset the negativity and urges we get to deviate from our course. Things that could pull off course are deemed not worth it. Hebrews 12:2 is priceless when dealing with this issue. Jesus shamed the things that were supposed to shame Him in light of who He was and what He was about. But if we lack any self-definition, we get defined and thrown about in the tides of life (Ephesians 4:14, James 1:16). A third, and last, suggestion deals with accountability. Each of us represents, or is associated with, groups of people or organizations. For some it is family, ethnic origin, religious or social groups, and so forth. We pride ourselves in our affiliations. Who we represent. Let that fuel your efforts to stay self-controlled. You do not want to embarrass your group. Or to the contrary, you want to represent your group well before others. Again, Paul was emboldened by his position with Christ (Philippians 4:13, Romans 8:37). Consistent acts of self-control, make for patterns of behavior that become habits and eventually character traits. Breaking character traits to form new ones takes self-control. But again, by God's grace and faithfulness, you can do it. One thing that really helps this process is what I said last week, knowing why you are doing it, and keeping that front and center in your mind. Will you perfect this process? No. We fall, ...but then we get up (Proverbs 24:17). Failure is never a reason to give in when working on self-control or the Godly life (2 Cor 12:9). Why? Because, God never gives up on you (2 Cor 4:1, Phillipians 1:6). And one more thing, they are finding more and more that our potential as human beings to grow and change and remain vigorous extends far beyond what we originally thought. So, be encouraged!
Pray with me... Gracious and All-wise God, we give You praise. May we not give in to the temptations and struggles that persist in this life. Instead, may we claim the spirit Your give. A spirit of power and love and self-control. Be with our loved ones and friends, bless them according to their needs. Thank You for the blessing of our church, and continue to bless us, so we can be the people you call us to be. In Jesus name, Amen.
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
