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👉🏼 (Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-9)
📜 ""For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness.""
2 Peter 1:5-6 (NIV)
📋 Faith is the believer's foundational trait. However, God calls us to build upon it with qualities that reflect his character. One of these is self-control-the ability to govern our thoughts, emotions and actions according to God's will.
Self-control reflects when you overhear a coworker spreading false rumours about you and your mind fills up with anger to retaliate but instead of dwelling on negativity, you take your thoughts captive and remind yourself that God is your defender.
It also shows when a friend betrays your trust, and you feel deeply hurt, and instead of exploding in rage, you calmly express your feelings and set healthy boundaries.
You also display self control when you are tempted to engage in gossip with friends because everyone is sharing details about someone else's life, and instead of joining in, you change the topic or walk away.
In effect, when you choose patience and grace instead of anger and explosive reactions, you are exercising self-control. Self control is not just about resisting sin; it's aligning our desires with God's purposes.
Hebrews 11:6 teaches us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. But faith alone bring faith alive.
What area in your life needs more self-control?
Ask God to help you grow in that area today?
🔑 Key Lesson: There is the need to add self control to our faith.
🛐 Meditation and Prayer: Lord, help me control myself in situations.
📚 Further Reading: Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 10:5.
◼️ The Bible in One Year: Isaiah 1-3.