Self Control – Page 2

Out of the heart of man

Psalms 119:113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Psalms 94:11 the LORD—knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Isaiah 55:7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Double-minded people are people who know about God but are not fully determined to worship and serve him only. There are those who want both God and what the the world has to offer. They want all the benefits from God but without committing to Him with their whole life – every part of their life. They turn blind eye to their sin.

Being complacent in study of His word – leaves an opening to have wrong thoughts and understanding of what it means to humbly serve, honor, glorify, worship, follow and obey Him. Neglecting food from His word starves the soul of meaning and purpose of life, both this side of eternity and eternity forever.

How are we to gain knowledge and understanding of God without His word? How are we to know what pleases Him? How are we to know right from wrong, true and false, or pride, greed, selfishness – Sin! How are we to know what is pure, holy, and God honoring? How are we to know His plans and purpose? How are we to find hope, joy, peace, strength, refuge, courage? How are we to know what true love is?

Apart from His word in our lives we are left to the cunning warped thoughts of others and societies that embrace their folly. Just because the culture approves of certain laws and rights does not make it right before God. “Our ways are not His ways and our thoughts are not His thoughts.”

Paul said “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” James put it this way about a double minded person in their faith. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Peter put it this way: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

We should make no room for complacency and neglect of God’s word and the application of it in our lives.

Slaves to various passions and pleasures

Psalms 119:37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Numbers 15:39 And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after.

Joshua 7:21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them

Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Proverbs 23:5 When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings

Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Titus 2:12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

There is always more, something better, something we don’t have. These desires seem to have a voice. At first it maybe nothing more than a faint whisper that is not loud enough to give us reason to turn and seek to understand what is being said. The problem is that these whispers soon gain volume and if we are given over to listening to them they will soon capture our full attention.

We see a car or truck, house, furniture, sporting goods, pools, clothes, jewelry, tools, art, money, vacations, amusement parks, shoes, other men, other women. The point is, it doesn’t matter what it is. What matters is the prideful and lustful passion that drives the desire to have it for our own pleasure.

It does not take much observation in methods all the different advertisements of merchants through written word, pictures, radio, or TV bombard us with to know they are playing on lust, greed, pleasure, pride. They whisper a simple story line to break through to our basic sinful nature.

They speak with authority. Soon the whispers become loud saying; We deserve it. We would look better with it. We would gain status if we owned it. We would be happier with it. We would be lost without it. Only smart and successful people are worthy of it.

Oh if we would listen to the whispers of God like we listen to these soul dismembering calls from the world. Oh that we would see the beauty of what God has created and pleasure in it. Oh that we would see the blessing of being content, humble, kind, and generous.

There is a battle for our very soul. Recognize the whispers of worldly passions and identify them for what they are. Desire and listen for Godly whispers from His word to overcome the blasts of worldly pleasure. Contentment is a wise adviser.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress

Psalms 112:6 For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.

Psalms 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalms 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

Psalms 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

2 Peter 1:5-11 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

It is one thing to say God is my rock, my fortress, and I will not be shaken but, it takes great care to keep from being side tracked. Sometimes we pray without trust in God and His plan, His purpose. Our walk with Him will yield more peace, joy, hope, love, and rest if we would but fully trust in Him alone. Christ prayed this way, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” For certain this life will throw us many trials and troubles. Money, family, relationships, employment, etc…. will at sometime hit us hard. It is in these times we find true peace and rest when it is in His hands.

Chosen, Planted, Rooted, Living Water

“Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

“But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.”

Psalms 92:12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

Romans 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,

Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Psalms 71:18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Job 17:9 Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Isaiah 46:4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Jeremiah 17:8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Psalms 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Philippians 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Chosen by God and planted and rooted by living water bearing fruit into an old age. Being planted and rooted by living water does not secure us. Scripture also says that the axe is laid to the root of the trees that does not bear fruit. God has planted but how do we get watered? Through His word. If there is little to no fruit there is a very good chance there is little to no Living Water. Notice, in the scripture above, all of that which is an outcome of being planted, rooted and supplied living water for growth. Fruit in our lives. We see purpose in our lives. This living water gives us hope, joy, patience, gladness, kindness, peace and gentleness. This living water still nourishes us during times of heat and drought. When Christ met and spoke with the Samaritan woman by the well he said “I will give you living water from which you will never thirst again”. We need to be mindful of the fact that when eyes to heart and mind thirst for things of this world more than this living water we will always be thirsty for more. Drink daily from the Living Water.

Zeal for serving God

“ Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

Proverbs 18:9 Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

Proverbs 10:4 A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

Proverbs 23:20 Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Proverbs 24:30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Luke 15:13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

I read these verses today and wonder if we are being reckless and slothful with God’s word and application into our daily life. A little sleep here, a little rest there, and the next thing you know there are days, weeks, month, and years squander on things other than living for God. A slack hand causes poverty and how true this is in the life of a believer who does not remain diligent in serving God. Life appears to be fulfilling but in the end their field of influence is covered in weeds yielding no fruit. Do not be slack in serving God, reading His word, listening to His whispers of leading,and following and obeying Him. Cultivate your heart, mind and soul with the word of God. Believing, commitment, dedication and action are required for fruit and if it is produced surely it ought to be seen.

Rejoice and sing for joy

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Psa 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Psalms 35:27
Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

Psalms 40:16
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!”

Psalms 58:10
The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.

Psalms 68:3
But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!

Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 2:9
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

What is missing in your walk with God? Do you see the fruits of the Holy Spirit? “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;” Where do we find these and how do we experience them active in our lives? In Isaiah is says: “To whom will he teach knowledge,and to whom will he explain the message? Those who are weaned from the milk, those taken from the breast? For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” In Hebrews is says it similarly “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” If you want to see the fruit of the Spirit in your life you need to build precept upon precept, and line upon line and this can only be done with time in His word. See what 5 minutes a day of reading does in your life. I know it will make a difference.

Promises

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune

Joshua 21:44
And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass

Exodus 33:14
And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth

Nehemiah 9:8
And you have kept your promise, for you are righteous

2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God

Hebrews 6:11
And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind

Do you ever read God’s word with the intent of seeing His promises? They are numerous and are showing us how God’s faithfulness in the past, present and future. How we look at these promises will determine how we live our life for Him. If I were to only look at the promises of blessings (grace, mercy, love) and never give thought to those of penalty (discipline, wrath, destruction, curse) how is it possible to understand the fullness of the blessings. If I do not understand, that in my sinful nature, I deserve penalty how will I live a humble, thankful, faithful, servant life for Him. It is good for us to remember who we are and who God is. Our purpose is not for the purpose in this life is not for collecting blessings but rather to live a humble submissive servant life that honors and glorifies Him. When you read of God’s promises there is none greater than John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. In this we see both eternal destruction and eternal life. When we understand the promise with both of it’s outcomes it opens our heart to see just how great God’s love is for those who hear His calling and follow him.

Don’t Forget

to be a reminder to the people of Israel

Joshua 4:7
When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you? ’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever

Exodus 12:14
“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall

Why would Joshua have a memorial made? I suppose it has to do with how easy it is for us to forget what God has done. How much have we forgotten? How many times in the past have you seen God’s hand and overcome something that seemed impossible? I was sent a link yesterday and it reminded me of something very remarkable. The content of this link essentially said “Share your story”. Share what your life was like before, the day it all changed, and what it is like now. This miracle should be fixed in our heart and mind so firmly that like the stones we are reminded of God and His provision. Reminded of His awesome power that can change a person from the inside out. How He can open their heart and mind to the wonders of creation, place peace in their soul in times of hard trials, soften our heart to love and forgive, heal broken relationships, supply needs when there seems no hope….. It is easy to forget what God has done, what God is doing, and what God has promised for the future when we do not speak of them. Speak often of God and never forget His awesome power, love, grace and mercy.