Leadership: Temperate & Self-Controlled

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

The devil, 'The tempter' (Matthew 4:3), HATES temperance, which is moderation and self-restraint.* He advanced excess and lawlessness. He encourages us to love them, too, because self-indulgence leads to a fall. His campaign began with Adam and Eve.

Now, 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2) has a new avenue of persuasion: an airborne explosion called MEDIA!

Bad ideas and faulty examples flood our senses and steal our attention. When naive fans follow them, self-control is redefined as a spin at the gym. Rather than being washed by His water, we're brainwashed by sensory overload.

  • We buy into whatever they’re selling.

  • We put on chains (bling), not knowing they bind.

  • We copy “stars”, because they SEEM happy.

Conman hype brought us a double whammy: we became witless predators and prey.

  • Pants got so skinny they turned into tights,

  • Underwear was turned into outerwear.

  • Girls became objects. Boys became selfish.

  • Moms became single, and men fled the scene..

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

'For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control' (2 Peter 1:5-6). Because…

'Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things' (1 Corinthians 9:25).

Right now, you compete for recognition in the mighty fields of entertainment. Embraces the role you were born to accept.

  • It's the lonely fan to whom you are sent.

  • It's the moment in time when heroes rise.

  • It's the reason God fashioned you to shine.

At the brilliant conclusion of your “show”, you’ll hear the most desired commendation! 

'Well done, good and faithful servant...' (Matthew 25:21).

Consider self-control NECESSARY to receive earthly and heavenly rewards: 

'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me' (Matthew 16:24).

Carrying a cross demands self-control. If you're wondering where you can find it, LOOK UP to the Source of lasting power:

'For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline' (2 Timothy 1:7).

REACH UP to the highest possible Branch:

'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control' (Galatians 5:22-23).

When you practice self-control, you’ll prosper!

Leadership: Temperate & Self-Controlled (Part 31)

* American Heritage Dictionary

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban