Self-control

“As the hard-fought Little League game was underway, the coach paused to say to one of his players, “Do you understand what cooperation is? What a team is?” The little boy nodded yes. “Do you understand that what matters is whether we win together as a team?” The little boy nodded yes. “So,” the coach continued, “when a strike is called, or you are out at first, you don’t argue or curse or attack the umpire. Do you understand all that?” Again, the boy nodded yes. “Good,” said the coach. “Now go over there and explain it to your mother” (Michael Duduit, preaching.com).

Each of us, to one degree or another, has discovered that self-control is a difficult virtue to practice.  The heart of the problem lies in that little word that comes before the hyphen -- “self.”  Frankly, we normally do not like to limit or deny ourselves.  Left to our own devices, it’s difficult to say “no” or act and speak with restraint.  It’s like giving a convict the keys to the prison.  No one is surprised when they find the cell block empty.  Our default mode is do what we like, what pleases us, what is in our best interests.  And while doing things like this is not always wrong, far too often it leads to mistreatment of others.

Perhaps that is why Jesus linked following Him with self-denial (Luke 9:23).  Self-indulgence is an identifying mark of religious hypocrites (Matthew 23:25).  But it’s so hard to control ourselves, isn’t it?  Do you remember what frightened the Roman governor Felix when Paul spoke of faith in Christ?  Sandwiched right between the theological heavyweights of righteousness and the judgment to come was self-control (Acts 24:25).  Like Felix, maybe it scares us to contemplate what we need to control in our lives.

What part of my “self” needs controlling?  My thoughts?  My body?  My emotions?  My words?  My attitudes?  My reactions?  How about you?

God loves you!

Mike

“LET ME SELL YOU A BRIDGE…”

“In the long history of con artists, George C. Parker holds a special place of dishonor. He is remembered as one of the most successful and daring swindlers in American history. He set up an office in New York City and “sold” some of the city’s most famous attractions to tourists. His favorite was the Brooklyn Bridge, but he also sold the Statue of Liberty, Madison Square Garden, and Grant’s Tomb. He produced elaborately forged documents and deeds to convince his targets that he was the rightful owner of the landmarks he was selling.

“Parker was so persuasive that on more than one occasion, police had to come and explain why the new “owners” of the Brooklyn Bridge couldn’t put up tollbooths to collect money from those who tried to cross. After his third conviction for fraud, Parker was sentenced to life at Sing Sing Prison in New York, where he spent the last eight years of his life. He dishonestly made a fortune preying on people who foolishly believed his empty words. He not only was an expert salesman, but he realized that many people were gullible and he could use that to his advantage” (ministry127.com).

Unscrupulous people have always been quick to take advantage of undiscerning victims.  It’s not surprising, then, to learn that it happens even in religion.  Right near the end of his Roman letter, Paul has this warning about certain individuals: “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting” (Romans 16:17-18).

Choose your spiritual advisors carefully.  Compare what you are being told with what the Scriptures say.   Sadly, not everyone can be trusted in spiritual matters.  Not everyone is who they claim to be (Matthew 7:15).  Not every bridge is for sale.

God loves you!

Mike