Self-Control
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| Do you have the discipline to refuse some of your favorite foods when you know you shouldn't eat them? |
The Freedom of Living With
Self-Control
JOYCE MEYER
We all have hopes and dreams for our lives—whether it's to buy a
house, get in shape physically, have success at our job, grow spiritually or
any other goal that's in our heart.
However,
if we want to make progress in life, it's going to require self-control.
I
realize this isn't a very popular topic, but self-control is one of the best
friends we can ever have because it brings us freedom.
What
does it really mean to be free?
Many
people think it means you should be able to do what you
want, when you want and never have to suffer any of the
consequences.
But
God's Word tells us that we reap what we sow (see Galatians 6:7).
Sure,
we can choose to do what we want, but every choice we make is a seed that will
produce a harvest in our lives—either for good or bad.
Real
freedom is not simply the liberty to do whatever we want.
True
freedom is having the ability and discipline not to do
something if it means we will be happier with the results in the long run.
Self-control
is one of the best gifts God has given us.
It
helps us say yes to what we truly want to say yes to, and it
helps us say no to what we want to say no to.
For
instance, my husband, Dave, and I recently ate at a restaurant that makes some
of the best lobster bisque soup I have ever tasted; it's so smooth and creamy,
and it has just the right amount of flavor.
I
instantly began thinking about going back the next day!
The
truth is, I could choose to eat that soup every night, but I know my body and
what I need to do to maintain my weight.
Yes, I
want the soup, but I want to stay in shape and remain healthy even more.
Galatians 5:17 says, "For the desires of the flesh are
opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to
the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each
other" (AMPC).
The
"flesh" represents the desires and cravings of our body and soul,
apart from the Holy Spirit.
Many
times our flesh wants something that the Holy Spirit says is not good for us.
However,
as we learn to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit, that is when we become
truly free.
Galatians 5:16 says if you " ... walk and live [habitually] in the
[Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you
will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human
nature without God)" (AMPC).
The
Lord wants to help us make wise choices. I often say that wisdom is doing now what
you will be happy with later.
Even if
a good decision isn't comfortable for our flesh in the moment, it will produce
good results later on.
God has
already provided everything we need to have a great life, but it's up to us to
walk it out—and we do that by making good choices (2 Peter 1:3).
Good
decisions produce good results.
We make
choices every day: how we think, what we're going to say, what attitude we
take.
We can
choose to forgive people when they don't treat us the way they should.
Or we
can choose to say something kind to someone when everything in us wants to say
something mean.
Always
remember, when you choose to do what is right—especially when you don't feel like
it—that is when you will see amazing results!
I love
1 Corinthians 6:12.
It says, "Everything is permissible (allowable
and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do,
expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is
lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under
its power" (AMPC).
This
Scripture is saying we can choose to do whatever we want, but not everything is
good for us.
So when
we feel tempted by something that isn't good for us, we need to stop and
think, If I do this now, how will it affect me later on?
I am so
glad I'm no longer controlled by a cookie or an overwhelming desire to have to
buy every new outfit I see at the shopping mall.
Operating
in self-control and choosing to do what I really want is true freedom.
Wherever
you are in life right now, God has a great plan for your future.
And He
not only wants to lead you and show you what to do, but He also wants to give
you the grace to do it!
Ask the
Holy Spirit for the guidance and strength to make good choices.
Then
begin making decisions today that you will be happy with tomorrow.
As you
do, you'll be amazed at the results, and you will experience the wonderful
freedom of self-control.
Would you want God to change your life? Would you
want to be empowered by the Holy Spirit?
God has made it possible for you to know Him
and experience an amazing change in your own life through a relationship
with His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
I receive Your free gift of salvation.
Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my
Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for
my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has
provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and
the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord
of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to
Your Word, I am born again and I am now a child of God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is
in me now to help me do Your will for the rest of my life. I surrender my life
to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
If you have just put your trust in Jesus Christ, you have
been born into God’s family.
As a spiritual baby, you need to grow by feeding on God’s
Word – the Bible (1 Peter 2:2).
You must have a good modern translation Bible and begin
prayerfully reading it. Start in the New Testament, such as the Gospel of John
or Paul’s letters to the Ephesians.
As you read,
ask two questions: “What are You, Lord?”
“What do You want me to do?”
Also, you need
to join a Christian fellowship where the Bible is taught and where God is truly
worshiped.
God bless you as you begin your new life with Him!
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times best-selling
author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored 100 books,
including Battlefield of the Mind and Get Your Hopes
Up! (Hachette). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio
and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more
information, visitwww.joycemeyer.org.
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