DAY 12

We All Need Self-Control.

FOCAL VERSE :

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1 ESV

DEEP REFLECTION :

The Apostle Paul described what it looks like for an individual Christian to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–25) of which self control is one of the most important fruits.

Self-control can be explained in simple terms as discipline and diligence in thoughts, words and deeds. It is more of doing what is right and not compromising. Across all spheres of life, self-control is held in high regard. Wonder why? The better you have a disciplined control over your desires be it thoughts, words or deeds, the easier you pan out.

More, from our anchor scripture for today’s message (Galatians 6:1), one can tell that Apostle Paul was painting a picture about how self-control helps us to live our lives devoid of conforming to the things of this world. It guides our decisions and correlates with how we show the other fruits in our lives. In that regards displaying self-control is often a matter of responding rather than reacting. When we react to a situation, we let our emotions take control. We are more likely to become defensive and say hurtful things. Responding, however, involves developing a thoughtful response that is guided by reason more than emotions.

Now, Christ Jesus, our saviour and mediator on the road to His death exhibited a great sense of self-control when He fixed back the cut-off ear of a soldier who came to arrest him (Luke 22:49-51). He responded to the situation than reacting.

As Christians, our responses to situations are to be guided by the fruits of the Spirit. And so, anyone who is walking in the spirit; has self-control by the grace of God. In effect we have the ability to respond to situations in patience and in love just as Christ would have but not judge,despise or relent a colleague and people who faulter. But instead forgive and help restore such a person with a gentle Spirit.

Each and every single day; there is a war within us. Thus, to be controlled by “the flesh” or led by “the spirit”. We are too alive in the flesh as humans. The flesh desires to gratify itself by whichever means possible. This makes it almost impossible to control ourselves by “self”. Even though we can try to practice it mechanically, we might burst out or fall back to a cycle far worse than before. It is thereby expedient to give up the control of ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Our decision to control or fix ourselves by “self” suggests that we are still on our own. There is a need to allow the Holy Spirit to control our temperaments, personalities, choices, decisions, plans and day to day steps. When we acknowledge that in our humanity we are fallible; it would help us to surrender our mortal flesh under the subjection of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in us to die to self by fueling our Spirit man to take charge on a daily basis which is the very key to self-control.

Finally, it is worth noting that self-control does not only entail disciplinary and diligent measures to avoid “sin” but also involves you taking great care of yourself ( living a healthy life).

SOUL PRAYER :

Dear God, in a world where it is becoming difficult to live right, help me to submit my flesh to you just so that I will be able to do what is right today forward. In Jesus name. Amen.

INTENTIONAL EXERCISE :

Decide to submit the desires of the flesh to the Holy Spirit. Make it a point to respond to situations than to react. Also, be mindful of what you say and even take in into your body. For example; stay hydrated and fit.

This is a GROWcode_initiative in partnership with Jesus Christ.
Stay connected to grow.
Much love.

Written by: Nana
Edited by: Beth_Hamm