Broken Self-Discipline
The Spirit of Discipline – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  2 Timothy 1:1-7

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Yesterday’s devotional leads us to a logical question: if we have God’s Spirit of self-discipline, why do Christ followers ever fail?  I believe there are a couple of reasons.  The first is found in the nature of temptation.  When we are being tempted, we desire something that we feel is wrong.  That desire is normally strong.  As humans, when we want something, we tend to ignore facts if they speak against doing this thing we want so badly.  In other words, when temptation is heavy upon us, there is a part of us that wants to fail.

If we are going to take advantage of what God has provided to fight self-indulgence, we must fight that tendency to want to fail by remembering we need not fail!  We must say to ourselves, loud and clear, “failure is a choice…I don’t have to do this.”  God has put within us His Holy Spirit which is the resource behind the words: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

A second reason there seems to be so much failure in God’s family is because of poor theological teaching.  Though there is not one verse in the Bible that justifies the belief that “everyone sins,” many act like that is a fact!  The Apostle Paul shouts clearly when it comes to us sinning, “God forbid” (Romans 6:1-2).  Read 1 John 3:9 and it backs up the fact that sin is not to be a part of a believer’s life.  (Continued)

Father, I am grateful for your Spirit in me that provides victory for me as I look to you and trust your promises.  In Jesus’ name, amen.