DIVINE SELF-CONTROL
1. John 14:9 tells us “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”
2. John 4:34 and 14:10b – 11 Jesus repeatedly told them that He was completely under divine control. He came to do His Father’s will, to speak His Father’s words, and to do His Father’s works.
MASTERED SELF-CONTROL
Matthew 9:34, 12:1-14, 21:23-27, 22:34-40, 26:57-67–Chief priests, elders, Sanhedrin, High Priest-we find the chief priests, or elders, or the Sanhedrin, or high priest trying to trick Jesus, accuse Him of lying and blasphemy. Through all of this Jesus did not loose His self-control.
Matthew 26:47-50—Judas- we read of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. What a touching scene this must have been as Judas betrays his master. I am sure this must have been an agonizing moment for Jesus but He still reaches out to Judas in friendship. He calls Judas, “friend.”
Matthew 27:11-14—Pilate-we see Jesus being examined by Pilate. Even though the chief priests and elders falsely accused Him and Pilate asks Him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” Jesus makes no reply, not even to a single charge. An impression was made on Pilate because he marveled greatly.
Matthew 27:27-31—soldiers-we read of the soldiers’ treatment of Jesus. They stripped Him, put on Him a scarlet robe, plaited a crown of thorns they put on His head, put a reed in His right hand, they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, they spat upon Him, took the reed and smote Him on the head, and led Him away to crucify Him. In all of this cruel treatment Jesus never uttered a word or fought back.
Matthew 27:39- 44—crowd-we read of the crowd passing by hurling insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” We know that it was in the power of the Son of God to do just that but he was completely yielded to His Father’s will.
We know that in all of the situations listed above the result could have been much different if there had not been divine inner control. What would have been our reaction to such treatment? Let us pray for more and more of this divine inner control in our individual lives.
SELF UNDER CONTROL
James 3:11– we see this contrast between fresh want and salt water flowing form the same stream.
Isaiah 5:1-2- we read about the vineyard. A vineyard calls for harder and more regular labor than any other form of agriculture. We read that he dug it and cleared it of stones before planting it with choice vines and instead of the crop of good sweet rapes he expected, it brought forth will sour grapes of no value. Do we find ourselves in these contrasts?
self-control- for the Christian means that our “self” comes under the control of Christ and we are governed by God and is subject to the sovereignty of God’s Spirit.
John 16:13- we must submit to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
SELF-CONTROL AND MY SPIRIT
a. My whole spirit:
1. Intuition- Perception of truth. Example- Acts 10:34-we see an example of a very great truth being perceived by Peter. He realized that God does not show favoritism or partiality. His salvation was for Jew and Gentile alike. May our perception of spiritual truths be guided by the Holy Spirit.
2. Conscience- Moral sense to discern both good and evil.
a. 2 Corinthians 1:12-tells us “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom”
b. Hebrews 13:18- tells us “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.”
c. 1 Peter3:16- tells us “having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
d. 1 Timothy 1:18-19-tells us “This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,”
3. Communion-close spiritual relationship
1 John 1:3b-our communion is to be with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Psalm 109:4b and Acts 6:4– we are told to give ourselves to prayer.
Psalm 1:2 and 119:97– we are instructed to meditate on His Word.
SELF-CONTROL AND MY MIND
b. My total personality
Mind. Romans 12:1-3– Let us allow God to remold and renew our minds.
Isaiah 26:3– God promises o keep us in perfect peace if our minds are stayed on Him.
Thoughts:
Mark 7:21a– tells us that out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts.
Isaiah 55:7– tells us that we should forsake these thoughts.
Ecclesiastes 7:25– tells us to think about and reason out wisdom and the scheme of things, to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.
If you are willing and will take the time and make the effort, your thinking can be disciplined and trained. Take the time each day to read God’s Word and pray-this is a step in the right direction in winning the battle of our minds against the negative thoughts and evil that surrounds us each day.