When you’re enticed by your peers to do something you know you shouldn’t, don’t yield (Proverbs 1:10). Recognise that you’ve got selfcontrol, because it’s a fruit of your recreated human spirit. It’s the virtue of someone who’s gotten a grip over his body, passions, and desires from within. Self-control is the ability to say “yes” to the right things, and “no” to whatever is inconsistent with the God-life. This virtue is already in you as a Christian, but you have to let it work.
Self-control is more than just choosing the good over the bad; it’s also about making choices for the best. For example, making the choice to study your Bible rather than watch the late-night movie is exercising self-control. Cutting down on your sleep time so you can wake up early to pray or study your books is also exercising selfcontrol. Perhaps, an urge has arisen within you to give in to the wrong thing or respond negatively to a situation. Jesus is your perfect example of one who exercised selfcontrol: when He was insulted and treated badly by others, He never got even (1 Peter 2:23). Copy Jesus. Say ‘Yes!’ to the right things, and ‘No!’ to what’s wrong.
Confession
I take charge of my life today. I refuse any attitude, habit or lifestyle that is inconsistent with the gospel. No matter what happens around me, I don’t bow to pressure. I hold myself in from within, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!
