Self-control
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Key Bible Verse:
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” Titus 2:111-12
Thoughts to ponder:
Self-control is the last of the fruit of the Spirit, possibly the most challenging for many of us. This is the power switch for harvesting all the others. But let’s face it, we want what we want when we want it and exactly how we want it. That is the mindset of our society.
In stark contrast is the definition of self-control: the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult circumstances. I think the greatest example of self-control by far was Jesus’ commitment to die on the cross. He had the ability to make His pain stop, to make those who persecuted and tortured Him cease, to call ten thousand angels to His rescue. He didn’t do any of those things though because He knew that the pay off of His restraint was well worth it.
There was a plan and a goal to be achieved, the reconciliation of mankind into relationship with God, and there was no other way to bring it to pass. And so should it be with us, we should dig deep to find the fortitude to remain committed to growing in Christ, to become conformed to His likeness. It is not always going to be pretty or easy.
We will certainly face challenges in cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Trust that He has a plan and purpose and that the practice of godly restraint in our lives will develop character in our lives. We must choose to look beyond our immediate circumstances and endure whatever God allows us to go through. It is our choice to make but God himself empowers us to do so.
Challenge/Action Step:
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Name one area of your life that self-discipline comes easy and one area of your life that self-control is a struggle.
What are the differences between the two, in other words why do you think one is easier than the other?
List 3 to 5 things you can do today to have greater discipline in your life?
What do you think the outcome will be when you have gained self-control?
Prayer for today:
Lord, thank you that you see us, and our struggles to be self-controlled and disciplined. Thank you for your forgiveness as we lay our failures at Your feet in repentance and begin again. I pray that you would help us to drawn near to you so that we can truly live a Spirit led life. ~ AMEN
Please take a minute to leave a comment or question; I would love to hear your take aways from today’s devotional and what you liked best about this challenge. Please join us again next week for a special BONUS recap and wrap-up.
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Thank you for joining Being Remade on this 10+ Bonus week challenge. I pray that it has helped you to grow in your relationship with the Lord.
