Self Control Is Godliness

March 25, 2021

A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

~Proverbs 29:11~

If we take a look at our surroundings we can feel a tendancy to speak out about how we view eachother or situations. We may feel an urge in our flesh to say exactly how we feel even if it would cause division or unecessary arguments. We serve a gentle God. One who is very patient with us. If the Almighty Creator of the Universe is patient with how we are, why then shall we treat others opposite? "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him."

(John 13:16)

When we speak to others we should be very cautious whether we are speaking as God is asking us to or whether we just want to because our own flesh is in battle and wishes to speak. What we want and what God wants may be very different in each circumstance. If we are walking in flesh rather then spirit, we will miss when God is telling us to be still and silent or to speak up with the words He is giving us. Having self control is important as we are striving to reach a lost world. We live in a world riddled with division that is the outcome from lack of self control; "unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good." (II Timothy 3:3)

The problem is that people tend to think they know better then God does, they tend to know the truth yet lack self control in when to speak it and where. We can know the truth about something yet if we are shouting it in everyone's face who comes up to us we may be in danger of driving them further away from God rather then closer to God in gentleness. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

(Galatians 5:22‭-‬24)

This message is directed at believers specifically, as unbelievers are already in the flesh and without the Holy Spirit. If we are abiding in Jesus and asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us we will begin to show signs of these fruits in our lives, we will die to our flesh. Many in the church lack this very thing and in turn are leading people astray as they lack the ability to hear what God is telling them to do and say. This is a very sad situation as it is our job to represent Christ.

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!” says the Lord ." (Jeremiah 23:1)

If we are mouthing off whatever comes to our mind we are causing more negative spirits to draw near and we are not witnessing Jesus Christ to others. Unbelievers will not have a way to see the love of God if we ourselves are lacking this. It will just seem to them as we are hypocrites and that may very well be the truth right there. Jesus spoke of the Pharisees in this way as they lacked self control in the words they spoke towards others, including towards the very Son of God. "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in." (Matthew 23:13)

When we try to stand by and claim who "gets in heaven and who doesn't," we are claiming to be a judge and we are most definitely not. There is a time and a place for the knowledge God provides to us and we are to hold our tounges until that time appears for the glory of God. Solomon states it very clearly, when we do not control our mouths we are considered fools according to God's understanding. Solomon's wisdom came from God for us to learn from. He was meant to write these things down for our ability to meditate on and live by them. As followers of Christ, let us harbor more self control as we come into contact with others who may have questions, opinions or even want to try and argue. Let us be the good example of how Jesus would react. "Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned."

(Titus 3:10‭-‬11)

If we come into contact with one who is just looking to be divisive, let us walk away calmly. Let us not give into our flesh my friends. This is how Jesus would ask us to react. He has waited many years for His children to come to Him. We are not going to cause anything to happen on our own, we are here to do it all in His timing. Patience is key to all things of God. If there is someone or something that is causing us to feel unsettled, frustrated or confused let us pray to God on how to handle this situation before venting all of our feelings in that moment. Let us give it to God and act in love regardless how hard it may seem. Let us not become as fools but rather be wise in His eyes.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the wisdom You granted Solomon that teaches me to hold my tounge and speak only when You tell me to speak. I pray for the understanding of when and where I am to approach one in love or to walk away all together. Holy Spirit, I need Your guidance so that I may not act a fool and walk in my flesh. Show me to walk in Spirit and Truth, to represent the Lord Jesus in all that I do and say. I pray to bring more people towards the Kingdom and not push them away from You. I reject being a hypocrite in my walk. If there is any Pharisee reaction in me please strip me from this. I am grateful for the strength You give me when I do have self control. Without You, I would be a fool for sure. You are faithful to me, I declare I shall be faithful to You and Your children. I pray for the lost and confused; to be part of the solution not the problem. Praises be to You Jesus as You are patient with me when I am venting all that I should hold on to. Show me Lord what it is I need to do next. I receive a day filled with patience, strength and self control and I give all glory to You, in Jesus Mighty Name I pray. Amen.