Self-control, Anyone?
Not long ago, I made a commitment to my small group: to watch my tongue and my heart intentionally. Proverbs 4:23 and all. That was then. And since? One challenge after another. How could I have left one crucial component out of my commitment?
Anyone could wish for more self-control, but only with the active involvement of the Holy Spirit is that going to become a reality. Without Him, submission to, support of, a goal like that remains unmeetable. Yes, a certain amount of self-control can be gained, but eventually pride comes into its own. Am I not wonderful for having so much self-control? And once I think so highly of myself, the fall is inevitable. As 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, If anyone thinks he stands, let him take heed lest he fall.
Need I write more? Trying harder without the Holy Spirit becomes only more frustration and eventually the sludge comes out, from heart to mouth.
What is the remedy? Repentance, re commitment, saturation with Scripture, obedience. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
But Peter goes on to admonish us: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfaithful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so shortsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (2 Peter 1: 5-10)
Not long ago, I made a commitment to my small group: to watch my tongue and my heart intentionally. Proverbs 4:23 and all. That was then. And since? One challenge after another. How could I have left one crucial component out of my commitment?
Anyone could wish for more self-control, but only with the active involvement of the Holy Spirit is that going to become a reality. Without Him, submission to, support of, a goal like that remains unmeetable. Yes, a certain amount of self-control can be gained, but eventually pride comes into its own. Am I not wonderful for having so much self-control? And once I think so highly of myself, the fall is inevitable. As 1 Corinthians 10:12 says, If anyone thinks he stands, let him take heed lest he fall.
Need I write more? Trying harder without the Holy Spirit becomes only more frustration and eventually the sludge comes out, from heart to mouth.
What is the remedy? Repentance, re commitment, saturation with Scripture, obedience. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
But Peter goes on to admonish us: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfaithful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so shortsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. (2 Peter 1: 5-10)
posted by Ebeth | 10:56 AM
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