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Self-control
'Do not let sin control the way you live.' ROMANS 6:12-13
Restraining ourselves - self-control - is listed in the Bible as proof God's Spirit lives within us (Galatians 5:22-23).
Living without restraint is like removing the brakes from your car. It may be exciting for a while, but inevitably you'll pay a high price for the ride. Take away the brakes, and your life, like your car, is transformed into an unguided missile headed for disaster. It's impossible to live a lifestyle of moral purity without dealing with some practical facts related to our flesh-and-blood appetites that constantly crave satisfaction. The Bible says, 'Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.
Instead, give yourselves completely to God...realise that...whatever you choose to obey...[becomes your master]' (Romans 6:12-16 NLT). If you let it, your body will lead you off course. It isn't that your body is evil; it's just that it possesses a number of appetites that are always ready to respond to the surrounding stimuli, all of which are terribly appealing and temporarily satisfying.
One Bible scholar writes: 'Life on earth is really nothing more than a string of moments, one after another. And I do not want my testimony for Jesus Christ to be shattered by a single moment of indulging my flesh. I don't want one moment of rage or pride or lust to cast a shadow over a lifetime of walking with my Lord. Frankly, I fear that possibility. And do you know what? I want to fear that possibility. When I stop fearing it, I'm in grave danger.'
written by Bob Gass
'Do not let sin control the way you live.' ROMANS 6:12-13
Restraining ourselves - self-control - is listed in the Bible as proof God's Spirit lives within us (Galatians 5:22-23).
Living without restraint is like removing the brakes from your car. It may be exciting for a while, but inevitably you'll pay a high price for the ride. Take away the brakes, and your life, like your car, is transformed into an unguided missile headed for disaster. It's impossible to live a lifestyle of moral purity without dealing with some practical facts related to our flesh-and-blood appetites that constantly crave satisfaction. The Bible says, 'Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.
Instead, give yourselves completely to God...realise that...whatever you choose to obey...[becomes your master]' (Romans 6:12-16 NLT). If you let it, your body will lead you off course. It isn't that your body is evil; it's just that it possesses a number of appetites that are always ready to respond to the surrounding stimuli, all of which are terribly appealing and temporarily satisfying.
One Bible scholar writes: 'Life on earth is really nothing more than a string of moments, one after another. And I do not want my testimony for Jesus Christ to be shattered by a single moment of indulging my flesh. I don't want one moment of rage or pride or lust to cast a shadow over a lifetime of walking with my Lord. Frankly, I fear that possibility. And do you know what? I want to fear that possibility. When I stop fearing it, I'm in grave danger.'
written by Bob Gass
