How's Your Thinking Ladies?
Last month we purposed to diligently practice thinking positive, excellent thoughts. This month we are focusing on Holy Spirit inspired Self-Control. As we discussed and learned, lack of self-control exhibits itself in many ways - talking too much, watching too much TV, purchasing that item you really don't need, eating that 3rd piece of delicious cake. Lack of self-control can and does go much deeper than these issues, but we all get the point.
Lack of self-control can also be described in various co-dependent and compulsive behaviors. Can you think of a way in which you may express this type of behavior in your life? Maybe, always just having to get that last word in during an "intense" conversation?
Ladies, Ladies! Do not despair for the Holy Spirit our ever present help is available to us! Hallelujah! Self-Control can be gained! How? The Word of God tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. 22But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
The fruit of the Spirit is the character of Christ and since we are striving every day to be more Christ-like it is only fitting that we work to attain the fruit of the Spirit. Self-Control for a Christian is defined as "Following Jesus with one's self deprived and one's cross carried with conviction".
In layman's terms...
1. Let go of "self"
2. Recognize your issue.
3. Seek the Lord and Submit to the Holy Spirit
4. Do something about your issue.
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:21-25 (NLT)
WAGOH, as we take one step at a time, this month let us focus on attaining the fruit of the Spirit, Self-Control!
Remember, we are Getting It Fixed in 2006!
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