The new birth we receive when we give our will and life over to the care of God is also the end of our old life dominated by sinful thoughts formed in an unspiritual mind. Being born again means we begin a new life in Christ. As our spiritual mind is awakened to the ways of God, new spiritual qualities form in us, and self-control is one of those. As we pray and meditate on God’s Word the Holy Spirit gives us knowledge of the ways of God and, as we trust and obey the Spirit’s guidance, we start to live fruitful lives.
God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. (Galatians 5:22-23 CEV)
The Bible tells us to consider ourselves dead to sin. We often do not feel dead to sin when we first set out on our spiritual journey in recovery. Our old ways and obsessive thoughts keep coming to mind, tempting us to satisfy their desires. This is where we need to exert the discipline of self-control and stand firm on God’s Word, reminding ourselves that we are dead to our old self with its passions and desires, for they have been crucified with Christ.
And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires. (Galatians 5:24 CEV)
Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. (Romans 12:2 CEV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, My desire is to grow in the truth of who I am in Christ Jesus. Please help me be self-controlled in all my thinking and behaving for I want to follow Your principles in all my affairs. Amen
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