Temptation and Self-Control

PART II

Our temptations, those things that really challenge our self-control, are as appealing to us as that fruit was to Eve in the garden! This is the thing: Eve could have called on God for help, but she made the wrong choice. She caved to her sinful desires and brought her husband along with her. Like Eve, the happiness that comes with temptation for us only lasts a small, fleeting time, and always brings disappointment.  God so graciously gives us the opportunity to call on the Holy Spirit to help us resist temptation. We don’t have to do it alone.

When Paul was encouraging the Church of Ephesus in Ephesians chapter 3, he prayed for them to be empowered with inner strength by His Spirit (Holy Spirit) in vs.16. We also see the help of our Holy Spirit in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” When we seek help from our Holy Spirit, we can possess self-control more and more. The problem is that many of us are controlled by our sinful nature, hence we become slaves to it (2 Timothy 1:7). Self-control is often a by-product of practicing patience. As we learn to wait on God’s timing and trust Him during tough times, patience, and self-control blossom.

Here are a few recommendations for developing self-control as we face trials and testing. Nothing is a quick fix, but as we feast on God’s Word and seek our Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can succeed. The first thing that I would recommend is setting a goal. Goals are to be short, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and on a timetable. Sister, hear me when I say that setting a goal can make or break your drive! If chocolate is your temptation and you set a goal of “no more chocolate for the year” and it’s February - you will likely not make it. However, if you begin where you are with an attainable vision, you can rejoice in your victories. A better goal may be: I will not have more than 1 piece of chocolate every 2 weeks (or months, quarters) and then advance once you meet that goal. Be sure to address each of these “SMART” steps in making your goal. Track your progress, journal, and celebrate your success with someone.

Once you set your “SMART” goal, begin searching for scripture applicable to your goal. When Jesus faced the temptation from Satan, He demonstrated self-control by quoting scripture. In the “Resource” section, there will soon be an area topics with specific scripture to help you with this. I speak from experience when I say that praying scripture will change not only your situation, but your life. Speaking the words of God has power. Learn to pray scripture if you have never practiced this previously.

I’m going to end this blog with some practical helps that may seem harsh, but true. Avoiding your area of temptation is absolutely priceless! If you are prone to focus on your phone when you have the opportunity to be reading your devotions, put it in another room and silence it until after your devotional time. Walk past those Peanut Butter Cups or Thin Mints, leaving them on the shelf knowing that you have overcome! If going into Bath & Body Works is going to tempt you to spend money that isn’t in your budget, turn around saying to yourself, “Get thee behind me Satan.” Ladies, you can’t partake in sin if it isn’t in front of you! If eating cookies just before bedtime is tempting, leave the cookies at the store. These sound harsh, but you as well as your families will prosper.  

Paul struggled with this very thing as we see in Romans 7:15-20. He couldn’t understand why he did things that he knew he ought not to do, and he admitted that it was sin living in him. Sweet friend, sin will be a struggle as long as we are on this side of heaven. As we hide God’s Word in our lives, sin will have less and less of a hold on us. When we call on our precious Holy Spirit for His help, sin will have less of a hold on us. And yes, when we reduce the opportunities for sin in our lives, sin will have less of a hold on us.

As we overcome sin, reach our goals and focus on Him, God can use us more and more as vessels of honor, broken, and spilled out for His service. What more could we ask for? May we all set a goal this week, choose scripture to claim and pray that Christ will fill us to overflowing as we strive for more self-control over the weak areas in our lives.

 Verses to Meditate On: Romans 7:15-20; Ephesians 3; 2 Timothy 1:7

Think about these questions: Can you recall a time when you ignored the Holy Spirit's guidance? Why do you think you ignored it? What could you have done differently? Do you think you learned something from that experience? Are you willing to try to cast all your temptation/anxiety upon God in the coming weeks, saying "no" to those sinful pleasures that will tempt you? Is there someone that you can share with and invite to pray with you about this?

`Go Sew Seeds and Live Sent