Partners
In Hope

Life Improves As I Practice Self-control

Thursday August 13, 2020

Everyone wants a happy life.  In the past some of us tried to achieve a good life by taking what seemed to be shortcuts. Unfortunately, the shortcuts proved less than desirable, and we found ourselves in chaotic places we would rather have avoided.  

In the Bible, we find the story of Esau who traded his blessing as a firstborn son for a bowl of stew to fill his empty stomach.  At the time, his primary concern was to satisfy his immediate physical need, with no thought at all for his future. He had not learned how to practice self-control.

Jesus faced a similar challenge. The plan of God was that Jesus would come to earth as a man, live a sinless life, experience the penalty for the sin of all humans, which was death, rise victorious over death, and then return to heaven to prepare a place for those who would believe in His saving work. It was a great plan for mankind but a tough journey for Jesus to attain it.  Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to become King over all the earth. If Jesus had yielded to this temptation, He would have obeyed Satan rather than God and we would all be captive in our sins, eternally separated from God.  Thankfully, Jesus practiced self-control and followed God’s will.

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”  “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, "You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.”  (Matthew 4:8-10 NLT)

We need to practice self-control and avoid all shortcuts that take us even one step outside of God’s will. We are warned: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NLT). Jesus is the only true way forward.  If we give our will and our life to Jesus, He will fill us with His Spirit who will help us make wise choices.  One step at a time, we will find that practicing self-control really does bring us the good things God has prepared for us.


 Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I want to walk humbly with You from this day forward and choose to follow Your will for my life.  Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I have the gift of self-control in all issues I encounter in my daily life.  Amen

©2020 Partners in Hope 
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/

Audio for Life Improves As I Practice Self-control

Recent Meditations

JOURNEYING WITH GOD
April 2, 2025
GROWING IN MATURITY
April 1, 2025
OLD GROWTH GOODNESS
March 31, 2025
ANGER
March 30, 2025
DISCOVERING TRUTH
March 29, 2025
See all

Giving Hope

Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.