Self-control

"I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing." Romans 7:18-19

The struggle we have with sin can be seen, especially this time of year, in the area of self-control. When studying this week on self-control, I found a list (ok, more like pages) of areas in my life where I need self-control. It can be a bit overwhelming. Carolyn Mahaney, in her book Feminine Appeal, suggests we look at one or two areas in our lives where we need more self-control, rather than becoming overwhelmed with lists of them. It is important to remember that we are able to pursue self-control in our lives when we tackle these struggles with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

As Charles Bridges says, "Man may talk of self-control, as if the reins were in his own hands. But he who has been "born of the Spirit," and taught "to know the plague of his own heart," is made to feel that effective self-control is divine grace, not his own native power... Have not repeated defeats taught us the need of calling in better strength than our own."