Verse of the day: Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls
are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
How do we who are born again believers measure
strength? Do we use the world’s measure? Is strength measured by how physically
strong we are? Is it measured by how much motivation and stamina we have in
gaining riches? Is it measured by how we are able to “put people in their place”
when they try to take advantage of us or do something that offends us? Do we
take pride in our reputation as someone who does not take flak from anyone? The
fact of the matter is that any physical strength that we exhibit is not real
strength. Physically speaking, we are feeble and fragile. I am sure that we
have either seen or heard of someone who was physically strong, or someone who
was considered strong because of their achievements; yet, we have seen those
same people suffer some physical trauma or illness that rendered them
physically helpless. True strength is found and grounded in Jesus Christ. The
Apostle Paul wrote the following in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
When he wrote this, he was referring to the fact that he learned how to be
content with whatever state he found himself in. Whether he lacked or had much,
he found strength in Christ to endure whatever God allowed. Part of the issue
with us being unable to be content with whatever state God allows us to be in
is that we lack the self-control. Although we have all the strength we need, in
Christ, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; we still fail to keep our
passions and fleshly desires under control. When we covet, it comes from us putting
our eyes on what others have, and rather than thank God for what we have, we
complain about what we think we lack. We fall into this trap in relationships
as well, as we look at other relationships and desire to have what others have;
not knowing what is really happening behind closed doors. When we fail to take
the precautionary measures needed to guard our minds, we expose ourselves to
our flesh being aroused, and before we know it, we are going after that which
God does not desire for us. The end result is that we open ourselves up to all
sorts of attacks from Satan and his demons. Temptation comes, and we wonder why
we give into it. James 1:13-15 tells us that we fall to temptation, not because
we are tempted by God, but because we are drawn away and enticed by our own
desires. Our inability to control our tongues open us up to falling to the sin
of gossip, and speaking in a way that does not honor God, when in fact, God
calls us to speak in a way that encourages, and builds others up (1 Pt 3:10; Pr
17:9; Col 4:6; Eph 4:29). Great strength is exhibited by those who can hold
their tongue, especially when angry (James 1:19). Proverbs 16:32 tells us that,
He who
is slow
to anger is better than the
mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. It takes great strength to
return kindness when evil is done against us, or when we refuse to revile those
who revile us, just as Jesus demonstrated for us (1 Pt 2:23). The bottom line
is that a person who does not have self-control is like a city whose walls are
broken and has no way of keeping the enemy from entering and causing great
damage. Nehemiah 1:3 reads as follows: “And they said unto me, the remnant that
are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and
reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are
burned with fire.” We cannot expose ourselves to all kinds of ungodly things,
and expect that we will not be affected by it. Once we allow our minds to be
affected, and we weaken our defenses, we open the door for the enemy to come
through and cause great damage in our walk with Christ. Our salvation is
grounded in Jesus Christ, and there is nothing that we can do to save ourselves;
His salvation comes by God’s grace (Eph 2:8-9). However, that does not remove
the responsibility we have to do that which will strengthen our self-control so
that we do not shipwreck our walk. We must be in constant prayer, being mindful
of God’s presence, studying His Word, obeying it, and avoiding those things
that stir up our fleshly appetites. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reads, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is
common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond
what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape,
that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 reads, Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus
I fight: not as one who beats
the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into
subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become
disqualified. Philippians 2:12-14 reminds us that we are to work out our
salvation with fear (reverence) and trembling (distrusting self to complete
it), relying on God completely, and without complaining. True strength can only
be found in, and exhibited in our lives with, Christ Jesus alone.
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