THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 76)
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3374
THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 76)
From Glory to Glory ( Study #55)
Walking By The Spirit #25
The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control #3
Self -control can also mean NOT giving control over our lives to a usurper - be it a control freak or seducing and controlling spirits!
God created us to be His unique masterpiece. His will is that we live the life He has given us as US.
Do not give the amazing opportunity to be yourself over to someone else. You take that chance and own your life! And, as Timothy reminds us in yesterday's devotion, you do not have to be afraid. God has given you the power, the love, and self-control needed to live out the amazing life God has chosen just for YOU.
And the Holy Spirit in us is our best advocate and surest guide to counter those who try to impose their will over our lives.
Let us learn from Cain's bad example of what not to do.
He goes down in Biblical history as the world's first murderer and since he killed Abel his own brother, his sin of fratricide has been played out ad nausea in all the racist wars and tirades were actually brother is killing brother with weapons or words.
Imagine the scenario - just before going out to kill his unsuspecting brother, God Himself spoke to him to keep his cool, to maintain his self-control over his jealousy because God's favour rested with Abel. He did not realise the fruits he offered God were fruits of the cursed ground. He could not understand that the blood sacrifice offered by his brother was God's mandated way of worship.
Genesis 4:6
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Abba Father, let us harken to the voice of the Holy Spirit within us and not give in to the voices of the self-life ( flesh ), world, the devil, and his cohorts. Otherwise, when we disobey the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will lose our self-control which the Holy Spirit nurtures in us and give in to sin, temptations, and fleshly indulgence that become addictions over time which literally take control over our lives.
