Character – Part 7, Self Control

God gave mankind dominion over the earth, animals, and all of His creation.   God also gave mankind dominion over their own bodies, not in the sense that the Pro-Choice movement uses it, but in the sense that God has given us the ability and the tools necessary to control ourselves.  We are to have our bodies in subjection.  Too often we allow our emotions, our cravings, our temperament, or an addiction to control us.

Control over my emotions

Personally I can be a very emotional person.  I can naturally be easily swayed by an emotional pull.  The Word of God, however, is very clear on many subjects and our opinion on them, no matter the emotional pull, is of no consequence.  Our emotions do not determine right or wrong.  .  Many Christians are being swayed to support cultural issues because it sounds compassionate, understanding, and loving to do so.  However, the Word of God is very clear about what is sin.  We must control our emotions and not let our emotions control us.

 

Control over my reactions

I truly believe that one of our greatest opportunities to be a witness to the world around us is by how we react under pressure.  Our culture will always react the same way: Anger when they feel disenfranchised, sorrow when caught in a compromising position, despair in the face of loss, outrage over infringement of my rights, shock at the unveiling of hidden truth.  The Christian can have a great pathway to being a witness by reacting different from the world.  The Christian should control their temper, refrain from lashing out, put loss in perspective, etc.

 

Control over my body

Our bodies are temple of the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament God’s presence was seen and manifested within the tabernacle and specifically the Ark of the Covenant.  Today, in the Church Age, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the lives of the believer thus deeming the Christian the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

The Tabernacle was handled with utmost care and attention to detail.  God gave very specific instructions to the creation of the tabernacle and than to the care, upkeep, and use of the tabernacle in worship (Exodus 25-30).  Likewise, our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit today are to treated with the same care and concern.  We train our children at church not to smoke because it is harmful, causes lung cancer and can lead to early death.  Spiritually we instruct them that as the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are to take care of the bodies that God gave us.  We were created to Glorify God.  I Corinthians 6:20 tells us: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s..Growth hormone-secreting tumors viagra lowest prices These tumors cause excessive secretion of growth hormone and erectile sexual behaviour… the list of health disorders it can prevent includes blood clotting, relief from joint pains or any other pain felt, kidney dysfunction, better sleep, digestive problems, infections, improved memory and the list goes on. It also reports cialis for sale canada that almost 90% of lung cancer deaths in the world. Studies have shown that alcoholism may trigger several mental health conditions, appalachianmagazine.com tadalafil online mastercard such as depression and anxiety. Later on, doctors suggest the dosage to be determined by your doctor. india generic tadalafil

Just like smoking, we need to be mindful of what we eat.  We do not allow our bodies to tell us when it wants to eat; rather we should tell our bodies when and what it will eat.  We do not let our bodies tell us when it does not feel like getting up and getting ready in the morning; rather we should be telling our bodies when it is time to get up and be responsible.  We are too keep ourselves disciplined physically and mentally.  God gave us the power to control ourselves.

However, all too often in the Christian life, we allow our bodies to dictate us.  We keep stopping at the Wendy’s drive-thru because we crave that Baconater  with large Fries.  We always seem to be running late in the mornings because we “are just not a morning person”.  We end up with Diabetes at Fifty because we could not stay away from the chocolate doughnuts.

 

Control over my thoughts

Satan came to Eve in the Garden of Eden and immediately attacked her thoughts.  He planted the seed of doubt in her mind: hath God said?  Meditation upon Scripture is imperative.  …whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things. (emphasis mine)Philippians 4:8  We are not to allow our thoughts to control us – but rather we are to control our thoughts.

 

Excuses of  personality or disorders

Today in America we are inundated with the labeling of disorders.  Every behavior problem becomes a symptom of a mental health problem.  I believe that there are real disorders.  I also believe we are doing a disservice and injustice to those poor children that actually do have a disorder.  The spectrum for Autism, ADD(Attention Deficit Disorder), ADHD(Attention Deficit Hyper-activity Disorder), OCB(Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and other such disorders has become so all encompassing that practically every child has something.  God has given us the strength and the grace needed to overcome those things that are detrimental to our walk with Him.  Aside from legitimate physical and mental diagnosis, we need to make sure we are dealing first and foremost with the sin and the rebellion in our lives.


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