-March 11, 2023-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
“Be hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled.”
(Titus 1:8).
Self-control is one the most important virtues in the Bible. In fact, it is one the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23. Though there are unsaved people that show self-control to one degree or another, it can’t compare to the empowerment that we as believers have, which is supernatural. There are many passages in Scripture that teach self-control, but the word itself is only found in the NT, some eight times.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.” A self-controlled person is stronger than any body builder, weight lifter, football player, or any athlete or soldier in this world. It is the inner control of our thoughts, words, temper, emotions, and actions. Most words beginning with self are normally very bad. In the case of self-control it is different, especially when it is produced by the Holy Spirit when are yielded to the Lord.
My mentor and Bible teacher, William MacDonald wrote meaning books, including Believer’s Bible Commentary, True Discipleship, and One Day At A Time, a daily devotional. He was very knowledgeable in the Word and his books and messages extremely practical. He went home to be with the Lord about ten years ago.
In One Day At A Time for March 10th, he wrote, “The disciplined Christian avoids overeating, if coffee, tea, or Coke have a grip on him, he kicks the habit. He refuses to be mastered by tobacco in any form. He carefully avoids the use of tranquilizers, sleeping pills or other pharmaceuticals, except where medically prescribed. He controls the time given to sleeping. If he is plagued by the problem of lust, he learns to expel impure thoughts, concentrate on a clean thought life, and keeps busy with constructive activity. To him every addiction or besetting sin is a Goliath to be conquered.”
As you can see self-control covers every area of life. You may think one must be a Superman to do all things that our dear brother Bill described. In fact, it is humanly impossible apart from the Holy Spirit’s enabling. Oh, that we will demonstrate self-control, especially when times are difficult, painful, or unpleasant. May the Lord help us to be self-controlled every day and in every way.
Have blessed day focusing on self-control instead of justifying or excusing ourself for our thoughts, words, or actions. Stay safe and healthy.
Walking in the Spirit with self-control,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 