Self Control

 The new birth we receive when we give our will and life over to the care of God is the end of our old life that was dominated by sinful thoughts which were 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 values form in us, and self-control is one of those qualities.  

 The Bible tells us to consider ourselves dead to sin. When we set out on our spiritual journey in recovery, we often do not feel dead to sin.  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. 

 It is our minds that need to be controlled and renewed by the truth.  We are new creations in Christ and do not need to feed our former character defects.  The way we think impacts our behaviour which is why we need to improve our daily conscious contact with God, praying to know His will and have the power to carry it out.  As we learn new ways of thinking and behaving, our desire will be to please God in all our affairs. This is the way we develop long lasting self-control. 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, My desire is to grow in the truth of who I am in Christ Jesus.  Please help me to have self-control over my thoughts and actions for I want to follow Your principles in all my affairs.  Please strengthen me by Your power to do so.  Amen

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