SELF CONTROL

Self control

In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus talks to His audience about the importance of exercising self-control. He says that thinking about murdering someone is as bad as actually murdering that person. That is because all sin originates in the mind before it is actually carried out. If we never think the thought, we will never do the act.

Jesus’ admonition is that thinking is as bad as doing. He doesn’t mean that if a thought just passes through your mind, that it is sin. What Jesus is referring to is that thought that you dwell on. When you allow yourself to continue thinking about doing something that is wrong, that is when it becomes a part of you and becomes a sin.

Most murders, if not all, are preceded by a mind-set that is not opposed to committing the act of violence. The one who commits the murder has predetermined that if this event happens, he is going to harm, if not kill, the person who did the deed that he considers inexcusable. The trigger that causes one to commit murder might be for a moment, but the mindset that he uses to control his overall behavior has already established that if this trigger is pulled, his reaction will be murder.

If dwelling on negative thoughts and allowing them to linger in your mind is sin, in like manner, filling your mind with the Word of God and meditating on God’s love, forgiveness and will for your life will help you avoid sin. Rather than allow temptation an opportunity to cause you to sin, recognize it as a temptation and make a conscious decision not to give in to it. Change your thinking and focus on something that is good, loving and kind.

God makes it clear from Genesis to Revelation, that you and I have a choice. We can choose to follow Jesus Christ and live a godly life or we can choose to reject God. It is a matter of self-control. It is a matter of choosing to do the right thing every time you are tempted and not give in to the temptation.

Don’t allow those thoughts that are evil to have time in your mind. Recognize them, name them, get rid of them and replace them with Scripture and thoughts that are reflective of who Jesus Christ is in you. Exercise the self control to do the right thing.

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