Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Self-control”
Our Bible verse for today: “Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.” Proverbs 3:13-15 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Godly wisdom leads to self-control.”
Since you’re reading these devotional messages on self-control I’m assuming that you would like to have more self-control in your life. We all would. And when you think about the areas of your life where you would like to have more self-control, you probably think about practical day-to-day things like weight control, sexual purity, financial stewardship, etc.
We’ll begin to address those subjects and others beginning tomorrow. But before we do, there’s one more “big picture” issue we need to discuss, and that is “Godly wisdom”. Developing the spiritual fruit of self-control requires Godly wisdom as taught in the Bible.
In the Bible God describes for us all the areas of life we have to gain self-control over. Learning those lessons, and then practicing the discipline of self-control, is the end result of wisdom. In Proverbs 3:13-15 Solomon tells us that as we acquire that wisdom we’ll find that it is much more profitable to us than truck loads of worldly wealth.
But you have to want it. And you have to be willing to go after it. One of the best explanations of this seeking after wisdom that I have ever read is found in Andy Andrews’ wonderful little book, “The Traveler’s Gift”. In the story our time traveler, David Ponder, on his second stop in history, finds himself in the presence of King Solomon. Solomon’s task was to give David the second great life-principle he needed in order to live the life God wanted for him. It was, “Seek wisdom”. In the story Solomon counsels David to, “Seek wisdom. Seek it. Wisdom waits to be gathered … She is a gift for the diligent.”
As the counseling session with Solomon unfolds, David comes to some decisions regarding the necessary pursuit of Godly wisdom in his life, decisions which are vital for you and me too. First, we must diligently search the Bible for the wisdom we need. The Bible speaks to the issues of life. Whatever it is you’re struggling with, there is Scripture to guide you.
Second, we must fill our minds and hearts with other influences that point us in the direction we need to go, and which will keep us moving in that direction. The things you read, the music you listen to, the shows you watch on television, should help to lift you up, encourage you, and keep you moving in the right direction.
Third, we must seek the counsel of others who have developed the self-control we seek. If the big issue in your life is weight control and physical fitness, then spend time with others who are already where you need to be. Let them guide you and help you. If your issue is sexual purity, find a trusted confidant to counsel you and to hold you accountable. If it is financial stewardship, there are great resources and Christian financial counselors available to help you.
The point is that the growth we need, and which we seek, comes to us through the acquiring of Biblical wisdom, followed by the diligent application of what we have learned. Tomorrow we’ll begin a discussion of what this actually looks like in real life.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 