04-24-12 "Self Control - b" Matthew 26:36-54

Control yourself.

The passage I read was Matthew 26:36-54

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+26%3A36-54&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

As I reflect:

In keeping with the theme of self control this week I see several examples given in the passage.

1- Jesus’ self control to go to a place where Judas knew to find Him instead of hiding.  This was self control in obedience to the Father.  Sometime we as Christians can have great self control when God says, “Here walk through this glorious open door to great blessings that I have laid out for you.”  But I wonder if we are bi-polar in our attitude of self control.  Would we display as great self control to be obedient even when it means hardship or trials and tribulation leading to death?  Jesus wasn’t only obedient in the little things or only in the blessings.  He was obedient even unto death.  So we also ought to be so self controlled that we chose obedience not only in the joyous times in life, but also in times of sorrow and great hardship.  Remember, not our will but His be done.

2 – the self control of Peter, James, and John (the sons of Zebedee).  So first we see a good example of what we ought to do.  Then, looking at 3 disciples we see the example of what not to do.  Now I’m sure there were some kind of spiritual attacks occurring here to lure these disciples into sleep.  I’m sure their bodies, the flesh was very tired indeed after the long walks, filling meal, and now shut eyes in pray at this late hour.  However, I believe strongly that had they stuck to prayer, perhaps even aloud and together, they would have overcome the sleepiness and managed to stay awake and alert.  The example here for me is to pray without ceasing and strike a blow to my flesh to keep it from leading me away from this spiritual victory.  Had Peter managed to strengthen his walk at this time in prayer, perhaps he may never have denied the Lord.  But Jesus knew in advance the things to come.  Does he know of you and me that we have the self control to say no to distraction and no to the flesh and no to our weariness that we may press on in pray before our King? 

3 – the self control of Peter.  When they came for Jesus, Peter drew a sword and struck a guard’s ear.  Now I don’t know about you, but I know I have many times wanted to respond in my flesh with violence.  Even in just a violent word I have been tempted by this world.  It is the flesh that responds with no self control.  Here Peter exhibits this for us to know that the nature of man is abroad in all.  Later however, Peter exhibits a far more powerful sword and with self control over the flesh he gives us a far greater example in how to wield the sword of the spirit.  He cuts to even the heart of men and they are changed forever.  Acts 2: ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off —for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  Let us also use the self control over the flesh to not lash out in anger, but use the Holy Spirit who is present in us that we would respond in a righteous and Biblical manner.

How much greater a witness to all we would be if we exhibited self control in prayer, word, and deed and if we responded with the Holy Spirit and chose obedience in every situation?

My response:

Jehovah, I have not fully obtained all that I preach.  I am in need of your grace.  I am in constant need for you to fill me with that which I lack for apart from you I am nothing.  I bring my petition before you to exhibit greater self control in the workplace, in my home, and abroad.  May my life overflow with the characteristics and supernatural presence of your Holy Spirit Father.  In Jesus’ name. 

04-24-12 "Self Control - b" Romans 6:4-14

The passage I read was Romans 6:4-14

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+6%3A4-14&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁶ For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,^[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷ because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

As I reflect:

Paul (in his longest epistle yet) covers all the salvation bases in this detailed letter to the roman church (the saints in Rome).  In this particular passage of that epistle we find him talking not only about physical baptism but more importantly a spiritual baptism which occurs in those who are born again.

Dying to old –

The first concept is that what we were before salvation was a person driven and controlled by sin.  We were not simply in the flesh that wraps our spirit but we were controlled by it as our spirit also desired what our flesh desired.  We lived in sin, making daily choices to continue in sin and being in our very hearts sin filled as beings who were slaves to sin. Our actions, words, thoughts, and even our very inner being was sinful and we obeyed it’s every command as we were daily led in temptation.  Even those said by man’s standards to be of upmost integrity and character were born into sin and lived lives of sin (and still do if not yet re-born).   The idea of dying to this very nature in us isn’t as simple as it is often put and I seriously doubt in my own ability to so thoroughly explain it here as I reflect.  My reflection is also a fairly simple explanation of it.  When one is baptized they are laid down into the water symbolizing the death of the old man.  This is only symbolic and the act in itself is not what saves or changes us in any way.  The symbol must stand for a conviction and changes which occurs inside our heart of hearts.  We are told that the Lord removes our cold or hardened heart (the idea being that which allows us to so ignorantly live a life as slave to sin and satan) and He gives us instead a new heart (covered in the next part of the process).  That is the symbolism of going down into the water, and when one is brought back up, the old man remains in the water having been washed off of the new man.  This can also be seen in parallel passages where we are told to daily crucify the old man.  It means that we don’t just do this once, but rather that daily we are putting off the old sin nature and making a conscio0us choice to battle against it.  We have to chose not to sin as an evidence of the putting off the old man.  This becomes easier in time as habits of the flesh are broken and the mind is given new food by which to act on.  It is easier still when we daily remember why we are saved, Who saved us, how He did it, why it had to occur no other way, and how we can relate to Him and Him to us.  Even as Christ was crucified on the cross, let the old sinful man that we were be crucified daily in our walks. 

Becoming new –

Simply dying of our old sin nature is not enough.  That’s like deciding to go somewhere, getting dressed, getting into a car, and then simply sitting there.  That’s great that you got ready to go somewhere but you have to start driving forward now.  When one is brought into the water as a symbol of the death of their sin nature, they aren’t left there.  They would drown.  There is no life being beneath the water, just as there was no life in the tomb for Jesus to remain there.  We are raised back up from the water to become a new creation, just as Jesus was raised back from the dead.  As He overcame death so must we overcome the sin nature which leads to death.  We must live in such a way as to daily chose to reign over the mortal body and it’s evil desires.  We have a new heart now but are still in the flesh.  That’s why it’s a battle.  Many of us spent a lifetime teaching our flesh to sin and it will be a struggle to retrain it, but it must be done.  We have to teach our body to be obedient unto God.  We daily read the word and pray for Holy Spirit guidance and empowerment that we might live in such a way that is un-natural to the sinful flesh we are in.  We are not natural beings that occasionally have a supernatural experience, but we are supernatural beings having a natural experience.  We must chose to identify with that supernatural, our spirit, and the Holy Spirit working in unison.  We must recognize that we are daily under the attacks of the enemy and move forward in resisting those attacks and furthering the kingdom of God.  If we are in fact born again, new creations, a new man, then there ought to be ample evidence of such a change in our lives.   Let us live daily as those that have been raised from their death in sin and now live dead to sin instead.

Dramatic change –

Now, being under grace may we offer our lives as an instrument of righteousness for God’s use.  Now that we have been given understanding of the scriptures and have received the truth that is there in contained, may we live in such a way that gives evidence to that truth.   If we then profess salvation from death in sin, shall we not live in accordance with that profession and indeed live dead to sin?  Spurgeon said it well, “If God has given to you and to me an entirely new life in Christ, how can that new life spend itself after the fashion of the old life? Shall the spiritual live as the carnal? How can you that were the servants of sin, but have been made free by precious blood, go back to your old slavery?”

May we not go back to the old man but be actually changed daily giving evidence to the work the Lord is doing in and through us. 

My response:

My Lord, I offer myself to you as one who has been brought from death to life.  Every member of my being is yours to be used as an instrument of righteousness in doing your will.  Help me daily Father I pray, for this flesh was trained well in the sinful desires of this world and it holds too tightly to my spirit.  Father I cry out daily for crucifixion of the old me and the resurrection power of You working mightily in the new me.  Remind me that I am under grace and not the law of sin and death.  Keep close to me through your Spirit that I be led away from sin and act instead in a way that brings glory to your name.  In Jesus’ name who was crucified and rose again that I may live.  Amen. 

04-17-12 "Self Control" Galatians 5:16-26

The passage I read was Galatians 5:16-26

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:16-26&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

As I reflect:

Today’s passage starts out telling us to walk by the Spirit as to not gratify the flesh.  There are many struggles with sin that I have had and even today constantly must battle against.  There are temptation on every side of me just as all of us are tempted greatly to sin daily against our God.  This is one of the reasons we pray the he lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  However, it would not be the characteristic of God to simply remove all temptation and by doing so remove all free will to chose who we follow and what we do.  God allows us this freedom otherwise our service to Him would bring no glory.    Paul talks briefly about this constant battle that is waging in all of our lives.  It’s not that one day we came to jesus and no we no longer struggle to overcome evil.  Rather the opposite.  Before we came unto a saving knowledge of Christ, we battled no sin.  No we are engaged in a great war and upon receiving this revelation we must daily chose to take up our cross and do battle against the enemy.  Paul put’s it this way, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”  There is a Christian performer who puts it in more eloquent terms with music.  

Watch his video here and follow along with the lyrics if you’d like:

Paul then continues in verse 18 saying, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”  There are many a Jew that would disregard this verse and in fact much of the new testament simply on the premise of believing this to empower one to sin all they want and claim it as freedom from the law.  That is not what is meant here though.  Boice said it well as,  “Life by the Spirit is neither legalism nor license - nor a middle way between them.  It is a life of faith and love that is above all of these false ways.”  And Paul reiterated in more detail in Romans 8:1-4 saying, “ ¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,  God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.  And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

In these passages and quotes we can clearly see that freedom in the Spirit is not mean to be interpreted as a license to sin.  It is instead an antidote for those who are attempting to live by the law and finding themselves in constant failure because the flesh is in fact so weak.  Can’t stop living in sin?  Start living by the Spirit and watch as change takes place.  Stuck in a mire of self satisfaction?  Replace the outer influence of the law with the infer influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Continuing on Paul gives some examples of acts of the flesh (also known as the works of the flesh).  It is not an all inclusive list, so if you don’t see you sin on there, it doesn’t mean it’s not a sin.  But he hits some big ones that most are familiar with and then says that those who “live like this” won’t inherit the kingdom of God (that is Heaven and eternity with our Savior).   What it does not say is that if you stumble and fall into the temptation of sin, that you are suddenly and irrevocably condemned to Hell.  Here Paul is speaking not of “a” sin, but of a lifestyle of continuing in sin by choice.  We as Christians do make mistakes and we stumble and we sin.  It’s just a fact of living in the flesh.  But, we sin far less when we live by the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.  WE sin less when we listen to that still small voice and resist the flesh’s desires.  We sin less when we fellowship with other Holy Spirit filled believers whom the Spirit also uses to influence and support us.  We do not become sinless perfect beings who never make a mistake, for we are after all still living in a body of flesh this side of eternity. 

Paul’s final paragraph for today’s reflection time starts with, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love”, and it could end right there and no further words would be needed because love encompasses all that follows in the paragraph.  Go ahead, read it.  Love encompasses it all.  All the acts of the flesh in the previous paragraph cannot be done in this love because all of them contort are go directly against what love it.  The exhortation to believers from this passage (at least one of the many that could be taken from it and applied) is that we walk in the Spirit and live in a way that God’s love is evident in us and being shared through us.  With this focal point in our lives we will have far greater victory over the enemy as he daily attempts to lead us into temptation and evil.  Let there be evidence of the Holy Spirit living in you as you display the fruit of that relationship.

My response:

Lord, I asked long ago that your Holy Spirit would come into my heart; my life and change me from within.  Open my eyes, ears, and heart to continue not only receiving your word in this manner, but also that I would apply every word.  I don’t ask to be filled with fruit for my sake alone but to further your kingdom and to do your will.  I ask every morning to be guided by your Spirit that I not fall into those temptations that are laid as traps before me.  “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done.”  “lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil”.  These are the things that I pray.  I know that I cannot do it alone, nor do I intend to, but rather I fall at your feet and pray that every step be Holy Spirit filled; every word like a fiery sword slaying my enemies and reaching into the hearts of men with love to cause change.  My Father I pray not only for your Spirit to save me from my own flesh, but that you would use me to draw others to you so that they too may be saved from their flesh.  In the name of Jesus I pray. 

04-17-12 "Self Control" Acts 24:10-26

2 Timothy 1:7

 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

The passage I read was Acts 24:10-26

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2024:10-26&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

As I reflect:

During my reflection my focus seemed to be on Felix and the last few verses of the passage.  When Paul shared the Gospel message with Felix, it caused fear.  This is a correct response for those who have no intention of serving the King of Kings.  Deep within their hearts they may already know that if you are not for Him, you surely must be against Him and this is reason for great fear.  Felix, after hearing the gospel then does what many still do today.  He rejects Jesus passively.  I reflected on the many acquaintances and strangers that I have conversed with on the Gospel.  I see many of them reacting in the same way.  When the message comes to a close and it’s time to make a decision, often I have heard the excuse, “just let me think about this”, or, “I am undecided but will probably follow Him later in life.”, or (and this one is classic), “I just want to have fun right now”.  None of these people believe that they are rejecting Christ.  They all believe they can put Him on a shelf and possibly make a decision at another time.  However I believe3 the message is clear that not making a decision for Him when the evidence is presented is the same as making a decision against Him.  There are no undecided in Heaven.  There will be many undecided in Hell.

Another thing I noticed about Paul was that he didn’t appear to water down the gospel or in any way fail to present all of the facts.  He presented truth and he did so in a bold and Holy Spirit filled manner.  I compare this to my own life and find that I am many times left wanting.  I have nowhere near the same courage though I have been told by God that this same Spirit resides in me.  Why do we as Christians so often fear offending another person with the very truth that could cause them to run to salvation?  I think for me, the answer is forgetfulness.  When I spend time reflecting and meditating on the word, I feel like I am ready to face any storm, any trial, any question that one would bring against me.  But when I get distracted by my routines and responsibilities in the day, I find that I seem much less prepared and have less courage when questions are presented and an opportunity to witness is present.  May we all be more like Paul in his boldness to state the truth even in times of struggle. 

Lastly I noticed the greed in Felix.  A man who has just been given the Gospel truth boldly by another who is most certainly obviously willing to die for the truth; you wouldn’t think that Felix would still believe it was possible to get a bribe from Paul.  How blind and foolish must one be to hear what was presented and still think that corruption was present in such a man.  I see this too in those whom I witness to.  It is odd to think that you can present the Gospel to someone and tell them that all have sinned and require salvation and then have that same person invite you to sin… I believe the greed and all the sin that covers the hearts of the unsaved has caused them to be blind to the power of God presented in Scripture and the life changing truths that the Gospel presents.  How I was ever saved is a mystery other than that God chose me and changed me.  I surely would have been as blind as those who now seem so oblivious to the truth presented. 

My response:

Jahovah-Hoshe’ah, My Lord who has saved me, I thank you for softening my heart.  Thank you for breaking the stone away and rebuilding me from the inside.  I was as blind as Felix at one time in my life.  Thank you for eyes to see and ears to hear.  You be glorified eternally my King.  I pray now as I have before that you will fill me with boldness and courage to deliver your message even in the face of adversity.  When my heart beats too fast and panic begins to rage in me, still my pulse and give me peace to speak.  When I open my mouth Father, let your Spirit go forth and touch those who stand before me.  Let me not be timid or weak except that in my weakness I rely upon your strength.  Thank you that you hear and answer.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

04-17-12 "Self Control" 2 Timothy 1:1-11

The passage I read was 2 Timothy 1:1-11

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20timothy%201:1-11&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

As I reflect:

This week is week one of looking at “self control”.  At first I did struggle a bit to understand what this passage has to do with self control.  Then I read a foreword which greatly put things into perspective.  When I think about self control, I think about what I am not supposed to do and how to control myself from doing it.  That concept is still true in this passage but it is being approached from another angle.  This passage is approaching from the mindset of self control being also to do what should be done. 

One must control themselves as greatly at moving forward and doing what is right as they must not go the wrong direction or do what is wrong.  Both categories fall into the realm of exercising self control.  For me, the daily “don’t do” has previously been the only focus of my self control.  But to add, I must also force myself to move forward (often out of my comfort zone) and do what is right atop not doing what is wrong.  When we are faced with this decision to do what is right, we often have excuses.  To quote Highquest, “We struggle with the “over” issues: over-eating, over-spending, over-reacting, etc.  We console ourselves with victim excuses that blame our past ancestry, circumstances, or even our genes.  We do everything except take personal responsibility for our decisions.”  We have excuses to not do what we should do.  This is a serious lack of self control.  Like a toddler throwing a fit about a nap and excusing it saying he isn’t tired instead of saying “yes Sir” and doing what must be done.  Paul destroys our excuses in this passage when he says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

How then can anyone who claims to remain in the Spirit and the Spirit of God in them, go on in such sin to excuse not doing what is right?  Let us daily put our excuses to rest and instead recognize where it is that our power comes from.  What great resources we have in the Christ we claim to serve.  Let us be self-disciplined to use those resources. 

My response:

Our Father in Heaven, you are above all the nations and you see all of our excuses as plainly as we see the sun in the sky.  We hide behind them far too often and are a people whose lives are cowardice to do what is right.  I am one of your children who is guilty of this sin.  I have many times been too timid to present Christ to those who need Him.  I have many times lacked self-discipline in witnessing, helping others, being a good steward of my finances, and even in controlling my emotions.  Lord forgive me.  I am ashamed at my passivity and desire to do your will.  I pray that your Holy Spirit give me power, love, and self discipline that I may fan into flame the gifts that you have given.  Save me from my flesh who is lazy and fearful.  Lift me up Father.  In Jesus’ name.