Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 7 January 2020


Self-Control

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11)

Today’s Morsel:  The thing about self-control is you have the power to avoid doing wrong.  You possess the ability to walk away from evil and those things that will not reward you good.  But if we are lacking in this area, we are sure to wind up with heartaches and hardships. You see, self-control came with the Holy Spirit.  So, if we say that His Spirit dwells in us and that we are born-again, then we should have self-control.  It is called temperance.  Temperance is defined as moderation or voluntary self-restraint.  It is typically described in terms of what an individual voluntarily refrains from doing.  This includes restraint from retaliation in the form of non-violence and forgiveness, restraint from arrogance in the form of humility and modesty, restraint from excesses such as extravagant luxury or splurging now in the form of prudence, and restraint from excessive anger or craving for something in the form of calmness and self-control.  You cannot say that you are a Christian and not possess self-control.  As Peter said of Jesus, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).  That is what self-control looks like.  I conclude that if we do not control ourselves someone else will.

Sing:  I’m learning how to lean and depend on Jesus. He’s my Friend and He’s my Guide.  I’m learning how to lean and to depend on Jesus; I found out if I trust Him, He will provide.

Thought For Today:  Self-control means that you are in charge of you. (Parker)

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