Devotional: Out of Control Self-Control

Devotions ChopChop ^ | October 30, 2008 | Dave Miller (tenger)

[tenger]

But the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Groan. Nobody enjoys self-control. We just like to do what we want, when we want. Whether it’s our out-of-control eating, our wayward tongue, our selfish temper, our destructive lusts, our bad habits, our limitless spending, or how we entertain ourselves, we don’t like self-control. And we know it.

But the beautiful thing about God is that if we want He’ll point out things that we should have more control over and give us the strength and the power to accomplish it. "For the grace of God …teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:12). If we want. He won’t force the issue. He may nudge a bit (until you’ve said, "no" many times) but He won’t force it.

So, what is it? What is the one thing (not 5 or 10 or 20 things, but one) that you need more control over? What is it? Not only does God teach us to live self-controlled lives but He gives us the power: "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him..." (2 Peter 1:3)