Choose Each Day ~ Flesh or Spirit?

Self- control is something that we as women dread talking about. I know I do! But it is an important character trait (as exhibited by the fruit of the Spirit) that must be allowed to develop in our lives.

Proverbs 25:28

28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
is a man who lacks self-control.

There are several concepts inherent in self-control:

Moderation

Self-discipline

Willpower

Restraint

The flipside (or lack of self-control) looks like this: overindulgent, impulsive, over-reactive or lazy

As is written in Character Makeover “The strongest self-control is not self-control at all, but God-control. In and of ourselves, we don’t have the willpower, strength, or virtue to exercise consistent self-control. But when we put ourselves under God’s control, then we will find the power we need to exercise self-control.”

You and I have a choice in everything we do. Choice is rooted in our desires ~ either to satisfy/glorify the flesh (body, emotions, will) or to glorify God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

So evaluate yourself (I know....OUCH!). Which desire is stronger: Flesh or spirit? Who is in control? Someone always is ~ you and me or God. When we choose to give into what the flesh wants (that sarcastic remark or gossipping about co-worker or eating the second piece of cake) that is un-Godly self-control. That’s why God-control is mentioned above. Let God be in control of your self, that way your self-control will truly be Godly.

Romans 8:

5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) Skip to verse 12.

12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters,you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Just because we struggle with God-controlled self-control doesn’t mean that we aren’t children of God. It means that we must allow His Spirit to grow in us by reading the Word and spending time with Him. What we feed is what will grow whether it be our fleshly desires or the Holy Spirit in us. As we starve our fleshly desires, there is more room for the Spirit to take over and fill us with God’s desires.

It doesn’t take any effort at all to be ruled by the flesh. That’s our natural bent. Giving in to the flesh and not practicing self-control fulfills a desire in us: to do what we want, to feel good in some way, to exercise fleshly self-control, i.e. if I want it, I’m going to have it. But it takes more than our own willpower to be ruled by the Spirit.

Here’s the exciting thing:

Philippians 2:13

13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

When we lack of Godly self-control the evidence can be outward (such as obesity, gossip, outward expressions of anger) or inward (such as negative self-talk, pride, worry/anxiety) but the root is always inward and based in how we think about God in relation to ourselves. We base the way we think about God on something He did or didn’t do or hasn’t done, something He allowed to happen, our lack of trust in Him to take care of us or a situation, not knowing who we are in Christ plus so much more.

What is your main area that is out of God-controlled self-control? What would it look like if you surrendered that to God instead of being controlled by the flesh? How would your life be different? Is your desire to bring glory to God stronger than your desire to give into the flesh and/or being passively controlled by the flesh because it is “easier”? Are you at least willing to be made willing?

Again ~ go to Philippians 2:13: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Each one of us can make the choice to allow that work and follow where it leads or take the easy road of fleshly control and its consequences. I know it's a struggle but when we CHOOSE to walk in the Spirit instead of our flesh, we have victory. Let's pray for each other this week in this area. If you are comfortable doing so, please post and share your struggles with self-control so we can be praying for you specifically.

Love to my sisters!

Tara