"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)
The very core of our self control is described in this verse. Because God did not want us to cower and hide, He blessed us with the power to overcome. But He also designed us to have self control and to use it to keep that power in check.
I chose the Amplified version for this verse, because it so clearly expounds all the facets of this concept. "Calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control," is not a fleeting statement. It is a powerful thought, placing the need for all people who call themselves Christian to be in control of their faculties, with respect to decisions that separate us from being "of the world." We have been set apart, wholly (and Holy) and completely, by the acceptance of Christ as Savior and Lord, and we must honor that decision through action.
And make no mistake, there are moments in life when we think about the spirit of power that we were given, and we run the risk of arrogance in our own abilities. It is in these moments, more than any other, that we MUST allow our self control to shine like the sun. It must be the kick in our complacency that drives us to the realization that we achieve nothing apart from God, and achieve all things through His presence in our lives. Without that truth, without that knowledge, without that discipline in thought and speech and action, we become blaspheming heretical sycophants incapable of true witness. (And, before you ask, yes I wrestle with this on a basis far more often than I would like to admit in open company.)
Take time today, hopefully before your worship experience, to think about how you employ the self control God has blessed you with. Ponder on whether or not it is you that uses it to its fullest, or your giving over to God the need to show it that allows it to flourish. Interesting conundrum, is it not? I believe you'll find, like I have, that in giving your self control to God, you will be more controlled and able to speak truth into people and circumstances in your life, and you will honor the Lord in doing so!
God bless you all!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment