Deny Self and Gain Control - Encouragement Café - September 29, 2015

Deny Self and Gain Control

Café Menu for Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Today’s Special is:  The Fruit of Self-control

Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Carolyn Dale Newell

Main Ingredient:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age

Titus 2:11-12 NKJV

Entrée:

Self-control may appear last in the list of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), but it is certainly not least.  How can we express love to someone who has hurt us without self-control?  We can convey gentleness rather than anger towards someone when we have self-control.  Self-control is a necessary and important fruit.

I have found the best way to possess self-control is to deny myself unimportant things for no other reason than to exert my ability to say, “No”.  For example, I can turn down a dessert, even a sugar-free one, by saying “No”.  I can deny the urge to check Facebook or Twitter simply because I can say, “No”.  Next time you are shopping and you find a gorgeous top on sale, try denying yourself from buying it – unless you really do need it.

When we learn to deny ourselves trivial things, we learn self-control.  It will help us become more disciplined about our prayer and Bible study time.  It may even help us save money or lose weight, but you will notice one great benefit.

When you deny self, you will gain control in other areas of life.  That person who can set you off in a split second will be just a little easier to deal with.  You are learning to control the part of you that just wants to scream at her.  We may find that we gain a little more patience, a little more kindness, and a little more love.

Self-control is ultimately a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  We are just learning to keep our flesh out of the way.  Let’s commit to pray about it.  God wants to endow us with this fruit, and where one is willing, He will make a way.

Take Out:

Which of the following can you deny yourself this week by just saying, “No”?

·       Desserts

·       Social media

·       Shopping

·       Television

Dessert:

Heavenly Father,

Help us with self-control.  Help us not give in to fleshly lusts, and fill us with Your Spirit that we may live in a manner pleasing to You.  Thank You, Amen.

© 2015 by Carolyn Dale Newell.  All rights reserved.

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