As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
June 16, 2022
Driving under the influence is not a smart thing to do. Followers of Jesus Christ, those who have put their trust in Him alone, are called to stay sober. The sober minded Christian is not intoxicated with cravings for the satisfaction of spiritually harmful desires. Self-control is what we are talking about. Am I in control of my temper? This can range from little things that go wrong all during our day to inconsiderate drivers going slow in the fast lane. What about our appetite? Do we overindulge? Is our attitude toward others characterized by patience, kindness, and love? Do I appreciate the value of time? Are there time-wasters that keep me from doing better things? Am I in control over my tongue? Who is the most self-controlled person who ever lived? Yes, it is the Lord Jesus Christ. Follow Jesus through the Gospels and see how a self-controlled person functioned. Think of it this way: Self-control is the anti-venom virtue in our war with sin.
After I had written the above, I had the occasion to go to our refrigerator to pull out left-overs for lunch. A container of pork chops and gravy fell out bathing everything in its path with a grand mess. There I stood fresh of mind with the importance of self-control. It was a moment for on-the-job training in practicing what I am preaching. H
A time to pray: “Heavenly Father, I know that I need to learn self-control and you don’t. I need you, Lord, at all times, but especially when I get frustrated. Keep me from wandering off into the weeds of sinful behavior.”