We are an impulse-driven society.
Fast-food joints are a good example. We can see a sign, drive in, and have anything we want to eat in minutes.
Would we choose that specific meal if it wasn’t right there, convenient, and there for us to choose on impulse?
Window displays are another example. How many of us have bought something not because we were searching for it, but because we saw it in a shop’s window, and we thought, “Hey, there. I need that.”
Our impulses work the same in our spiritual lives. Wrongdoing is rarely planned. It happens in the moment, on impulse, an instant of desire that we hadn’t planned on.
God’s Word gives us 6 Guides for Self-Control.
1. Self-control builds up our defenses against bad choices.
Proverbs 25:28 says:
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
2. Self-control keeps us in line with the law and right living.
Galatians 5:22-23 says:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
3. Self-control brings us love and power.
2 Timothy 1:7 says:
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
4. Self-control builds our self-respect.
Titus 2:2 says:
“Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”
5. Self-control allows God to bless us.
1 Peter 1:13 says:
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace (blessings) that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
6. Self-control is our first step to becoming like the Father in heaven.
2 Peter 1:5-6 says:
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness.”
We are better people when we make studied decisions. We live better lives when we toss impulse out the door. We become better Christians when Christ is always first in every choice we make.
Let’s reach for Jesus. He’s the best decision we can make.
Copyright © 2019 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.F.21.19b.vp.esv