Rhapsody of Realities TeeVo ; Wednesday, 24th July 2019 ;
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc., DD;
CONTROL YOURSELF! ;
(Exercise Self-Control From Within);
TO THE BIBLE 2 Peter 1:5-6 NIV
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
LET’S TALK
When you’re enticed by your peers to do something you know you shouldn’t, don’t yield (Proverbs 1:10). Recognize that you’ve got self-control because it’s a fruit of your recreated human spirit. It’s the virtue of someone who’s got a grip over his body, passions, and desires from within. Self-control is the ability to say “yes” to the right things, and “no” to whatever is inconsistent with the God-life. This virtue is already in you as a Christian, but you have to let it work.
Self-control is more than just choosing the good over the bad; it’s also about making choices for the best. For example, making the choice to study your Bible rather than watch the late-night movie is exercising self-control. Cutting down on your sleep time so you can wake up early to pray or study your books is also exercising self-control.
Perhaps, an urge has arisen within you to give in to the wrong thing or respond negatively to a situation. Jesus is your perfect example of one who exercised self-control: when He was insulted and treated badly by others, He never got even (1 Peter 2:23). Copy Jesus. Say ‘Yes!’ do the right things, and ‘No!’ to everything else that’s inconsistent with the God-nature and life.
Go Deeper
Proverbs 25:28
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
1 Corinthians 10:23
All to the Glory of God
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.
SPEAK
I take charge of my life today. I refuse any attitude, habit or lifestyle that is inconsistent with the gospel. No matter what happens around me, I don’t bow to pressure. I hold myself in from within, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!
DAILY BIBLE READING
ONE YEAR
Acts 28:17-31, Psalms 30-31
TWO YEAR
Ephesians 2:1-10, Isaiah 44
Act
Make a list of areas in your life where you know you need some self-control and discipline, and make a decision to take charge of your life in those areas.