In today’s world we are addicted to sex, pornography
and all kinds of sexual immorality. We
continuously invent new kinds of sin when it comes to illegal drug use and
getting high. We kill each other simply because the music in someone’s car is
too loud. And America is the fattest nation in the world. We have no
self-control over our desires, impulses, emotions, or actions.
Cutting or Anorexia has a common thread of
giving the person a sense of control. They may not be able to control the
things that are happening in their lives, but they get to decide (control) when
they cut or purge themselves. What it shows us is how our enemy can pervert and
twist our perception of things.
The same goes for people who over eat (I
have lived this). Finding comfort in food and eating what you want, when you
want it (including the entire carton of ice cream) gives you a sense of control
in at least one area of your life.
Ever hear an alcoholic or drug addict say
they can quite anytime they want? Same
goes for smokers? Totally in denial of the truth, which is their substances abuse
controls them.
Maybe these are things you’ve never had to
deal with or encountered, but what does your credit card statements reveal? Do
you have self-control when it comes to spending money or using a credit card? Why
are so many Christians in debt? And debt that many of us are unable to pay
back? How come each year around this time we start buying on credit or negating
to pay bills so our kids will enjoy a lavished Christmas Day that has nothing
to do with Christ?
We allow our anger to control us in ways, which
are not becoming to God. We are argumentative and like to quarrel. We can give our husbands the cold shoulder for
a week and think nothing of it—after all, he pissed me off!
Why do we love gossip so much? Why do we use
manipulation of others to get our way? How come when trouble shows up, we are
in the center of it? You see sisters; self-control is something we need in
every aspect of our lives—especially when it comes to our thoughts, impulses
and tongue.
Paul warned the Galatians that the desires
of our flesh are opposed to the Holy Spirit, and the desires of the Holy Spirit
are opposed to the things of the flesh.
In other words, we got a war going on! And if we sow to the flesh then
we are going to remain a hot mess and out of control. But! If we sow to the
Spirit, then things are going to change so we look more like Jesus!
I have struggled the past several years
with my weight, and it seems that the past year I started to gain again. (Not
that I was at a healthy weight to begin with.) But lately, I have changed the
way I eat without planning too. Monday through Thursday, I basically eat one
good mean a day. I am not suggesting this for anyone other than myself, and the
reason I say this is because it is a custom design
by the Holy Spirit for me.
I’ve been doing a Bible study for the past
few months on the “Kingdom of God” and reading “Soul Detox…Clean Living in a
Contaminated World”. (Good book by the way.) And one day I prayed, “Lord, I’m
ready to let go of all things I’ve been holding on to that are not good for me!
Holy Spirit, help me!” Now at the time I said this heartfelt prayer, I was
thinking more on the lines of television shows, movies and things like that.
But taken at face value by God the “anything”
walked me through a door of self-control with food.
In the morning I have a cup of coffee,
piece of fruit or fruit bar. I drink plenty of water during the morning while I’m
writing and I feel very satisfied. Then I eat a good plate or bowl of food
usually between the hours of 1 – 2 pm. Yesterday, I had roasted chicken, a small
baked sweet potato, green bean sautéed in olive oil and fresh garlic and fried
apples with dried cranberries. I don’t measure, I don’t worry about portion
control—I just make a good plate of food. I take my time eating and rest a
little bit when halfway through. I have a glass of red wine around 6pm and if I
want something sweet I eat a yogurt or piece of fruit. I’ve been going to bed
earlier, and wake up feeling much better. And I don’t feel deprived at all.
On the weekends I do eat more, but I don’t
use it as an excuse to overeat or gorge myself. I still excise the fruit of
self-control. I tell my body in a heartbeat, “Nope, you don’t need it and you’re
not getting it!”
Now that I have invited God into an area
of my life I was still holding for myself, (because I could be in control) I
have a greater confidence and awareness of using self-control in other avenues
of my life—especially my thought life. We win and lose battles there on a daily
bases.
There is no quick or easy fix to learning
to exercise the fruit of self-control other than getting into our Bibles to
understand what it is, and how it works. You’re going to have to dig into who
the Holy Spirit is, His reason for being here, His purpose for living with us,
and what we gain by sowing into Him, versus our flesh and own desires.
It’s time to learn to control those thoughts
that defeat us—our tongues, our emotions, our desires, flesh and eating. Yes,
my dear sisters—it’s Bible time!
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