Struggle or Battle

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 
Galatians 5:16 NLT

There is more to be said about self-control than being listed as a fruit of the Spirit. Much more. We have the mindset that self-control (or the lack thereof) consists of struggles we go through on a daily basis. Somehow, we believe it's okay to let ourselves off the hook with that kind of thinking. I believe it's meant to be more in the line of doing battle. 

In Matthew 16:24, Christ tells us plainly that if we want to be His disciple - to follow Him in His way, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. What does it mean to take up our cross? In this day and age, we tend to think of it only as a burden we must carry, but in the time when Christ walked the earth, it was about being killed. Putting the body to death.

Think about your time-stealers. What are they? Surfing the Internet? Facebook - scrolling or games? TV? We can get very complacent about the time we spend on these activities. I can't tell you the number of times people have admitted that the next thing they knew, it was three hours later. When was the last time we prayed for three hours straight without looking at the clock? Just asking.

Proverbs 25:28 the Message, A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out. Do we want to live in a house with its doors and windows knocked out?

1st Corinthians 9:27 in the NIV reads this way, No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. Self-control means taking it by force. That's not just a struggle, that's a battle. One we need to win.

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us, O God, for not denying ourselves! Open our eyes to see where we have laid down the cross and stood quietly by. Your Word says You give us strength, that self-control IS a fruit of the Spirit. Help us to walk in it, according to Your purpose and plan. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen