Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

Do you lack self-control? I will be honest there are times when I do very much lack self-control. It usually falls in the food department. I like all those things we are told not to eat. Most of the time I can turn away from them; you know the bread, pasta, processed sugars etc, but occasionally I just cannot, do not even want to try. My flesh wins out and afterward, I am really mad at myself and I beat myself up. Why can I not just say no and walk away? Of course, there are worse things than food that we can allow ourselves to indulge in. For some it is alcohol, others bad TV shows, that do not uplift anything. Maybe your struggle is shopping or gossiping. For men, maybe listening to a dirty joke, looking at another female (in the wrong way) other than your wife.

It really does not matter in what area the lack of self-control is, we all need to be more disciplined or more surrendered? I personally think both! I think if we are more disciplined to study and learn the word of God, not only will our souls be fed, but our time will be occupied and just maybe some of these things will lose their attractiveness for us. I also think that we need to learn to surrender our cravings for whatever to the Lord. When we feel that flesh rising up in us; we need to give it to Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us to something else, something more pleasing to him.

Obviously, God has given us food to enjoy, but overeating or gluttony is a sin. It is idolatry, self-love, comfort, and control. We need to do everything, no matter what it is in moderation. Even good things can be done to excess.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say-but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything,” -but I will not be mastered by it.”

Ezekial 16:49 “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom; She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.”

Philippians 3:19 “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

These are some harsh words we just read. The Lord does not ask us to do anything that is wrong for us, or too hard. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help us as we walk this earth with all its pleasures. And he tells us what we need to clothe ourselves with rather than excess food, shopping, looking…

Romans 13:14 “Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” And then we read these words. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

We belong to The Lord, our Creator, and King. He has given us everything we need to turn from things that are wrong, or just out of control and not good for us in excess. All we really need to do is to surrender that desire to him, allow him to be Lord over even those weak areas that we have. Yes, maybe you will slip up from time to time, but it will not rule you on a daily basis. I am in, are you?