Thursday, October 21, 2010
Self-Control
"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." - Proverbs 25:28I have a close “friend” who has a serious problem. Family members have pled with him. Friends have tried to reason with him. I hear an intervention is in the works. He is addicted…to potato chips. Regardless of the flavor, at any time of day or night, he is tempted by the craving for salty goodness.
Ok, I confess - it’s me. I love ‘em and I am passionate about the crunch of a good potato chip. I’m not an expert, but I am something of a chip connoisseur. I’ve tried hundreds of different kinds. I’m not often tempted by sweets. Cookies and ice cream are great, but give me a bag of chips and a big glass of Coke and I’m in snack heaven! Hmmm, wait here a minute… *munch, munch* Ah, much better! Needed a little pick-me-up in order to finish this blog. Where was I going with this? Oh, yeah – self-control.
If you’ve exhibited some self-control and you’re still reading this, you can probably relate to my struggles. After all, this is common to man. We all wrestle with our “self” and it’s incessant cravings and desires. Now don’t worry, I’m not going to start listing all of the issues that we have with self-control. They are too many to count, right? I’m no expert on this subject either. In fact, as my opening thoughts reveal, I’m more qualified to speak to the LACK OF! (Side Note: I didn't want to title this particular blog "Self-Control" because I was fairly certain, you wouldn't read it. I mean, who wants to be reminded of the nastiest enemy and the biggest problem in our lives? I tried a couple of cute and clever titles, but just decided to call it as the Scripture sees it.) The Proverb that prompted this diatribe really got to me this morning. Look at it again: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
What does that mean? How is this illustrated in our lives? The consequences of our loss of self-control are well-documented. From bloated bodies to broken marriages, we’re witness to what happens when the walls are broken down. How can we restore the broken walls? Is there a proven strategy for the warfare between flesh and spirit? What will it take to gain some measure of self-control in our lives?
This is what I know from Scripture – when we surrendered our lives to Jesus and decided to follow Him, His Spirit takes up residence in our hearts (John 14:16-20). Paul tells young Timothy, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Ok, I may have just lost a few of you right there. Why? Face it, we don’t like self-discipline.
I can hear you now - “Hey, I’m just not good at reining in my desires. I’ve tried to curtail the flesh, but it just has it’s way. Cutting back just isn’t in my skill set!” But self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24). While there are consequences for the lack of self-control, there are blessings and benefits that come with the fruit of self-control. Take a moment to consider how you would benefit and how those around you would be blessed when this fruit grows in abundance in your life.
It is the Holy Spirit that nurtures and helps us to produce this wonderful fruit! While we have the Holy Spirit’s help, we also have a joint responsibility in this issue. Some effort is required on our part! So, whether it’s too much TV, a lack of motivation, getting mad, or the urge for more munchies - take control, be prepared to tell your selfish desires, “NO!” Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to cultivate and help you produce this wonderful (and beneficial) fruit. I have often told my congregation that the fruit of the Spirit is not for our consumption! After all, while we certainly enjoy the benefits, those within the periphery (the walls) of our lives - our loved ones, our friends, even strangers that we come into contact with - all benefit, and are blessed, by our self-control.
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' " - Mark 8:34
P.S. By the way, I got a case (yes, a CASE) of Zap’s chips as a Pastor Appreciation gift. Anybody wanna come over for a little snack?
P.P.S. Gina’s into sweets, so there’s cookies and ice cream also available!
Labels: self-control
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Faithful Recabites
My Bible reading of late is taking me through the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 35, God uses a family as a living illustration of faithfulness.
The Recabites (also spelled, Rechabites) were also identified with the Kenites, descendants of Jethro (Moses' father-in-law). This relatively obscure family (or their ancestors) appear several times in Scripture. In each case, they are found on the side of righteousness.
For instance, their ancestor, Jehonadab (referenced in Jeremiah 35 as the one who gave the prohibition on drinking wine), appears as a companion to King Jehu in the slaughter of the prophets of Baal in 2 Kings 10:15 & 23. The Recabites also helped in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in Nehemiah 3:14-15. The Recabites are living examples of those who refused to be changed by the culture around them. They would not drink wine and refused to build houses or plant crops or vineyards.
When I read this passage, I was reminded of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. They are described this way: 13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Remember the day in which the Recabites lived... Surrounded by idolaters and probably ridiculed for their backward views, they resisted the pressure to conform and compromise. And as a result, God commends their faithfulness.
We also live in a wicked culture. There is constant pressure to conform and compromise. If we are to be faithful, we must be committed to God's Word, allowing it to transform us (Romans 12:2), even under the intense pressure from this world. God is still looking for faithful families and individuals - those who will not bow the knee to what is culturally acceptable or cave in to the pressure of "progressive" ideas or philosophies.
In all likelihood, we will be ridiculed for our faith and our "backward" views, but we live with higher standards and we live for a higher commendation. We live to hear God say, "Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant"!
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:11-12
For instance, their ancestor, Jehonadab (referenced in Jeremiah 35 as the one who gave the prohibition on drinking wine), appears as a companion to King Jehu in the slaughter of the prophets of Baal in 2 Kings 10:15 & 23. The Recabites also helped in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in Nehemiah 3:14-15. The Recabites are living examples of those who refused to be changed by the culture around them. They would not drink wine and refused to build houses or plant crops or vineyards.
When I read this passage, I was reminded of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. They are described this way: 13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Remember the day in which the Recabites lived... Surrounded by idolaters and probably ridiculed for their backward views, they resisted the pressure to conform and compromise. And as a result, God commends their faithfulness.
We also live in a wicked culture. There is constant pressure to conform and compromise. If we are to be faithful, we must be committed to God's Word, allowing it to transform us (Romans 12:2), even under the intense pressure from this world. God is still looking for faithful families and individuals - those who will not bow the knee to what is culturally acceptable or cave in to the pressure of "progressive" ideas or philosophies.
In all likelihood, we will be ridiculed for our faith and our "backward" views, but we live with higher standards and we live for a higher commendation. We live to hear God say, "Well done, good and FAITHFUL servant"!
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. - 1 Peter 2:11-12
Labels: conform, faithfulness
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