Most of the time when people hear the words “discipline” and “self-control,” they groan. It makes us think of depriving ourselves or being denied the things we desire and enjoy. But I’ve discovered that self-control is actually my friend, because it’s the key to having the things I truly want in life.
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Most of the time when people hear the words “discipline” and “self-control,” they groan. It makes us think of depriving ourselves or being denied the things we desire and enjoy. But I’ve discovered that self-control is actually my friend, because it’s the key to having the things I truly want in life.
Self-control gives me an amazing freedom to say yes to what I truly want and no to what I really don’t want.
In John 8:31-32 (ESV), Jesus says, “…If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” It’s important to understand that it’s not just hearing the truth that makes us free; it’s applying the truth to our lives that makes us free. And doing this requires some discipline and self-control.
People often have the mistaken idea that freedom means we can do whatever we want, whenever we want to do it, and have no negative consequences. But that’s just not possible. The Bible teaches us that we will reap what we sow.
Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
When the Bible talks about the flesh, it’s referring to the desires and cravings of our body and soul apart from the Holy Spirit. Many times our flesh wants something that the Holy Spirit says is not good for us; however, as we learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, we become truly free to do what we really want to do.