E38 - Hope’s Harbor Gritty Bible Devotions - Self-control - Because GOD won’t
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-couple-2019-7), finances are often cited as a reason for divorce.
And it’s not just married people in trouble with out-of-control spending. Several online sources, Forbes.com included, cite financial woes for singles.
And listen, not all the problems are due to a lack of controlled spending.
Moving on… eating, or overeating to be exact. Obesity is a serious health issue. This is an excerpt from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html –
· The US obesity prevalence was 42.4% in 2017 – 2018.
Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. These are among the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
So a lack of self-control can destroy relationships and overeating destroys health, what else. I’m looking for a 3rd point and then sum up the devotion.
How does a lack of integrity fit into self-control? When thinking of self-control as mastery, does honesty have to be mastered? I know a lying tongue must be mastered and there is not a soul on the earth who hasn’t lied.
There isn’t enough time to even begin to examine all the areas of life that require integrity. Okay, here is that 3rd issue. Sex-
Self-control when it comes to sex. And let’s just look at the self-control it takes to remain faithful within marriage where sex is concerned. I don’t know of anything more dreadful when it’s discovered than marital infidelity. You know, adultery. It’s not a fling, or an affair. It is the most selfish thing one can do to their spouse and not only that, it’s devastating when the truth comes out.
Before condemning those who cheat on their spouses, did you know Jesus said whoever looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery in his heart?
Let him who is without that sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7)
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13 & 14 there are two ways in life:
Matthew 7:13 - "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Matthew 7:14 – “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Summary: Having strong self-control may involve a process in order to develop it. Practice here is the key. Firm Biblical knowledge and a commitment to implement that knowledge will insure your efforts at self-control in any area you want to change for the better will have a great chance of success.
Action to consider: Get your courage up here, Christian – take time this week to do an honest self-assessment. Not for guilt or to condemn yourself, but to uncover at least one area you know you need to exercise self-control. If need be lookup resources online that may help you get started. Then go get started –
Next week’s devotion: Walking in the Spirit – what is this?