"As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'" Acts 24:25
In the last couple of days the Lord has been putting information in front of me about self-control. First in something our Pastor said, next in a passage of scripture and next in a bible study I'm doing. It doesn't take a genius to know that He's bringing the subject to my attention and I'm smart enough to know that when He brings something up, I need to pay attention.
Self-control means knowing when to say yes, when to say no and interestingly enough, Felix hit the nail on the head when he said "That's enough for now!" Left to it's own desires, our flesh will cry out for things that are not good for us - too much food, unhealthy food, laziness, continual pursuit of material things, status, love and attention...etc.
None of these things are wrong in and of themselves, but without the exercise of self-control they can all lead down the road to ruin and misery. We can become trapped in habits and cravings that drive us to do the very things we don't want to do. Left unchecked, our fleshly cravings will drive us far from God.
Self-control is not a negative thing...a list of rules and self-denial. It's the practice of wise choices that protect us from sin. It's just as important to say yes to somethings as it is to say no to others and it's always good to know when to put on the brakes and say...that's enough for now.
Felix made that statement to Paul because he didn't want to hear the truth. He didn't want to think about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. He didn't want to face the fact that at some point we will all give an account to God for our actions.
Let's not be like Felix. Let's embrace self-control. Let's be determined to make wise choices...ones that will enrich our lives and our relationships - especially our relationship with God.
Prayer,
Thank you, Lord for giving us self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Help use to exercise self-control in all areas of our lives, making wise decisions about when to say yes and when to say no. Father, we understand that in our own strength we are weak, but in our weakness, you make us strong, so we ask you to give us wisdom and strength to practice self-control each and every day. Amen
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(Copyright© 2011 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
In the last couple of days the Lord has been putting information in front of me about self-control. First in something our Pastor said, next in a passage of scripture and next in a bible study I'm doing. It doesn't take a genius to know that He's bringing the subject to my attention and I'm smart enough to know that when He brings something up, I need to pay attention.
Self-control means knowing when to say yes, when to say no and interestingly enough, Felix hit the nail on the head when he said "That's enough for now!" Left to it's own desires, our flesh will cry out for things that are not good for us - too much food, unhealthy food, laziness, continual pursuit of material things, status, love and attention...etc.
None of these things are wrong in and of themselves, but without the exercise of self-control they can all lead down the road to ruin and misery. We can become trapped in habits and cravings that drive us to do the very things we don't want to do. Left unchecked, our fleshly cravings will drive us far from God.
Self-control is not a negative thing...a list of rules and self-denial. It's the practice of wise choices that protect us from sin. It's just as important to say yes to somethings as it is to say no to others and it's always good to know when to put on the brakes and say...that's enough for now.
Felix made that statement to Paul because he didn't want to hear the truth. He didn't want to think about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. He didn't want to face the fact that at some point we will all give an account to God for our actions.
Let's not be like Felix. Let's embrace self-control. Let's be determined to make wise choices...ones that will enrich our lives and our relationships - especially our relationship with God.
Prayer,
Thank you, Lord for giving us self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Help use to exercise self-control in all areas of our lives, making wise decisions about when to say yes and when to say no. Father, we understand that in our own strength we are weak, but in our weakness, you make us strong, so we ask you to give us wisdom and strength to practice self-control each and every day. Amen
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(Copyright© 2011 Jan Christiansen. All rights reserved.)
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