“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28)

“Indulge yourself.” “Go ahead and give in.” “If it feels good, do it.”

Heard those things?  Believed those things?  Usually those phrases are used to get us to do something or let down our restraint over something we might at first be hesitant about.  Maybe it’s to buy something we don’t need or can’t afford.  Maybe it’s to eat or drink something not very healthy for our bodies.  Maybe it’s to look at something our eyes really shouldn’t look at.  Maybe it’s to vent our emotions with angry words or actions.  The truth is, temptations to indulge our sinful nature are all around us.  The question is, do we have the self-control to withstand or will we crumble?

The book of Proverbs links the lack of self-control as a defining characteristic of a “fool.”  And like a city without walls a person without self control opens him/herself up to vulnerability and attack.  Primarily open to Satan’s onslaughts to destroy the soul.

Oh how we need Jesus!  We need His perfectly self-controlled life to cover us!  We need His self-determination to die on a cross to pay for all our sins!  You need it and in Christ you have it!

Self-control is a “fruit of the Spirit” worked in our lives by this grace of God.  Keep your focus on Christ and His grace and that teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

Christ died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!  Believe it!  Live it!

Moved by God’s grace to live with self-control, just like you,

pastor