Take Control By Choice

 

 

Some people think that self-control is not important, but I’d like to prove otherwise.

You probably know that you are a three-part being. Right? You are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a body (I Thessalonians 5:23). Although everyone sees you through your body, the real you is your unseen spirit. Your spirit is the part of you that is born again.

As a Christian, your spirit defines who you are. If you do not build up your spirit, then your soul and body will dominate your life. Your soul and body can convince you to do what feels good, what looks easiest and is most convenient. The soul and body will also persuade you that you can do as you wish, no one will care or you can do questionable things without being found out.

Some people never learn to exert self-control because they don’t take time to build up their spirits. They learn to ignore the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to them. Instead they follow their emotions, or their own desires and reasoning.

Sometimes they cloak their lack of self-control in religion by attributing their actions to “God’s leading.” If they closely examined what they did, they would know that it goes against the principles of the Word of God.

When you desire to walk in the Spirit, you must exercise self-control. You and I will have to learn to say “no” to that which tempts our flesh and emotions to sin.

As Christians, we are to take control of what we see, hear, read, and whom we allow to influence our lives. We are responsible for our emotions, impulses and desires. For example, circumstances may press your emotions to respond to a personal attack negatively, but through the fruit of self-control, you are equipped to respond in love.

While others want to argue, you choose to walk in peace. You choose to forgive and show mercy when others offend, disappoint, or fail you. You choose to keep the joy of the Lord when you feel unhappy. You choose not to speak when your emotions have a negative word that wants to burst from your lips. All of these are examples of self-control in operation.

Some may say, “Well, I believe you should vent your emotions.” Venting emotions brings destruction – destroyed marriages, destroyed family relationships, murders, broken hearts, and depressed personalities. Words once spoken cannot be retrieved. Once emotions have cooled, regret sets in for the hateful words spoken that cannot be taken back.

Freedom is not doing whatever you feel at the moment. Freedom is in choosing to walk in love toward God and others. The love walk requires self-control (Galatians 5:13)

Will you make a choice to gain self-control by submitting your life to God’s Word?  Now, that’s the choice-driven life!

 

Today’s Bible Reading: 

2 Sam 6; 1 Chr 13; Acts 23; Psalm 60