In order to be happy in life, we need to start doing the right things and stop doing the wrong things. And one of the first things we should stop doing is saying, ‘I just don’t have any self-control.’ Self-control is a choice, and the more we choose it, the stronger it becomes. But here’s the best part: the power of self-control comes from God, not from ourselves. ‘The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.’ It happens automatically as you spend time with God in prayer and His Word. ‘Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life’ (Proverbs 4:20-23 NLT). God will give us the power to do this, but we need to exercise that power each day. There’s no quick-fix or shortcut to self-control. It’s like singing a favourite song when you were a child – you would have had to repeat it over and over again before you mastered all the lyrics. But even if it’s many years since you sang, or even thought about that song, you could probably sing it automatically right now! In the same way, when we learn to think as God wants us to think, we’ll be able to defeat the devil and walk in victory. And the first step is to stop saying, ‘I just don’t have any self-control.’ We’ll never rise above what we say! As long as we believe we’re not disciplined enough, we won’t be. So today, come into agreement with God’s Word, start saying, ‘I am disciplined and self-controlled,’ and trust the Holy Spirit within you to help you.
