Our Problem with Rejoicing
Self-Control – Part 2

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:9-11

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:8

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

As we continue from yesterday’s thoughts on self-control I want to remind you of what God has provided for every child of His. God has given us provisions that are more than adequate to maintain our self-control. We may not practice self-control perfectly in this life, but we can continually grow stronger in this area. Remember that growing strong starts with believing you can! Any Christ follower who allows thoughts like: “There is no way I can have victory over…” has already lost the battle by believing a lie! All victories start with the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Another good scriptural weapon to have close when your self-control is being tested is 1 Corinthians 10:13, which tells us that God won’t allow a temptation to be stronger than our ability to say “no.” As a child of God, when we blow it, we must never allow ourselves to say: “I just couldn’t help myself.” No, it’s better to say the truth, for truth will set us free. The truth is, when we cave in, we did not have to; we chose to. We were not overpowered. In reality, we simply did not use the weapons available to every child of God!

These two scriptures, Philippians 4:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:13 are critical weapons to gain self-control. When we use them, rejoicing always is an automatic result!

Father, I will be self-controlled today. I will honor you and be blessed in my spirit because of these victories. It will all come from your strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.