Apr 29 – Self-Control
3:120 – Self-Control

#faithbites #faithjourney self-control

During our school chapel today, our DCE discussed self-control. It means control over your self or being able to tell yourself “Whooh..slow down or Whooh, this isn’t good for me”. Most of us want to do what we want, when we want, and how we want to do it. We scream that we deserve to be free and this is freedom and God gave us the right to be free.

While God did give us free will, he also gave us rules to live by. We often forget the Law when we focus on the Gospel and salvation. These go hand in hand. Freedom comes following His law. So we need to have self-control when exercising our freedoms.

Scripture
  • 1 Corinthians 6:12 – “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.
  • Galatians 5:13-14 – You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Reflection

We are free to do as we please, but when we don’t exercise self-control, we become a slave to them. We shouldn’t use this freedom to indulge our flesh or our own desires but to help each become stronger.

What does this mean? We should approach each other in love and kindness. We need to see where people come from and reach them where they are at. Part of that is knowing where our knowledge ends and when to defer to others. When we try to “win” at all costs, we indulge and become enslaved.

Let us follow His command in one way. Love on another as we love to the Father. When we follow his Laws we exercise self-control. Our freedom is absolute but God has directed us on how to use it.

Challenge

How do you exercise self-control? Do you believe that your rights are absolute and given by God? If so, are you willing to exercise control by following God’s Law? It’s hard to turn it over to God and admit our freedoms are only through following Him.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for giving us so many freedoms. At the same time you tell us that while we freedom to do everything, not everything is good for us. You help us do so many things. Lord, we need to exercise our self-control, and follow you. We love you and give you the Glory. Amen.

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