Is a man who has no control over his spirit... PROVERBS 25: 28---
SELF CONTROL IS CRUCIAL, and VITAL TO a relationship with THE LORD *GOD*, and as a matter of fact, TO existing in this troubled world! Self control has deep reaching levels, layers, and powers, as well as far reaching WHOLESOMELY GOOD effects! It IS that WILL which moves us HIGHER INTO THE LORD, and grants us an all around better journey in the time which we have!!!
In these days, we ARE SEEING CLEARLY what lack of self control produces! It is obvious in the youth, all the way through to leaders, and is waging war upon the standards, and principles we OUGHT to be functioning in! Crime is expanding, hatred is flourishing, angry, spiteful tongues are wagging, and on the negatives of LACK of self control are spewing into societies everywhere!!!
The NEED for self control, for SELF DISCIPLINE, IS ONE WITH THE LORD'S WILL! In 1 CORINTHIANS 9: 24-27, we gain understanding of WHY it matters so much, for SO many reasons...
The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They practiced the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body must not be suffered to rule. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts and appetites. Holy fear of himself was needed to keep an apostle faithful: how much more is it needful for our preservation! Let us learn from hence humility and caution, and to watch against dangers which surround us while in the body.
NEVER forget that fleshy lusts involves ALL which is carnal, that is what comes forth of us, body, mind, heart, and spirit, THROUGH everything from thoughts, to actions, to reactions! We ARE taught to tame the tongue, to be gentle, to be kind, and in short to exercise self control BEFORE we speak, act, or react! Our ROLE is to SHINE OF *GOD* IN this woeful plane, FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of others! IF we have NO self control, or self discipline, we are as the world!!!
DIGNITY IS part and parcel to self control; and while it MIGHT be challenged, IF one IS existing accordingly, it CANNOT be shaken! Self control has many components, one of which is, the ABILITY to CRUSH our IMPULSES in order to achieve long term aims! In DOING so, we NEGATE that which if we acted on, might create later regrets, with lingering effects! We DEVELOP WILL POWER, which RULES OVER impulsive behaviours, and characteristics; we THINK ALIGNED TO a BETTER outcome than if we spoke, acted, or reacted hastily! IF we exist IN *GOD*, we KNOW HOW virtuous character, characteristics, and behaviours AID us IN growing, and developing INTO OUR TRUTH, which IS AS REFLECTIONS OF HIM!!!
We ARE to BEAR FRUITS WORTHY of THE LORD, in which case, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS NURTURING FRUITS within us, AND which ARE in CONTRAST with the flesh/carnality! There are 7 HEAVENLY virtues, and 7 deadly sins! Virtues are GAINED THROUGH self control, and self discipline, as knowledge, and understanding OF THE LORD'S WILL, and THE HOLY SPIRIT are ALLOWED by our will to work in us! The deadly sins are part of the flesh, and without self control, or self discipline increase, and ultimately, take the soul from it's rightful inheritance, as the one LACKING in virtue, and control exists in ways against *GOD*, and what is HOLY, and therefore, probably NEVER knows PEACE, or JOY, or anything which is RIGHT, or JUST, or GOOD, instead ONLY that which satiates the human body, and mind!!!
TITUS 2: 11-12...
11+++For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12+++instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men. It teaches to forsake sin; to have no more to do with it. An earthly, sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. It teaches to make conscience of that which is good. We must look to God in Christ, as the object of our hope and worship. A gospel conversation must be a godly conversation. See our duty in a very few words; denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly, notwithstanding all snares, temptations, corrupt examples, ill usage, and what remains of sin in the believer's heart, with all their hinderances. It teaches to look for the glories of another world. At, and in, the glorious appearing of Christ, the blessed hope of Christians will be complete: To bring us to holiness and happiness was the end of Christ's death.
There are over 90 BIBLE references, and instructions concerning self control, and of course, many of these open up into other matters which lead us to existing IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN PEACE, IN JOY, IN HOPE, IN WHAT IS GOOD, and POSITIVE! The world teaches us contrary TO TRUTH, and it IS difficult for us TO adhere to the OPTIMIZING WILL of THE LORD, YET, it IS the WISEST, HEALTHIEST, SAFEST, HAPPIEST way, now, and forever!!!
We WILL struggle, we WILL stumble, we WILL have challenges every inch of THE WAY, HOWEVER, such IS what separates *GOD'S* people from the world, and sees them refined, and this can ONLY be achieved THROUGH THE LORD *GOD*, and our WILLINGNESS to BE transformed INTO OUR TRUTH!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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