Rick Warren on Self-Control

I'll have to chat more one of these days about how I love variety in my devotional life. I may get into a certain type of studying for a while, or do prayer walks for a couple of weeks, but ultimately I've got to mix it up much more than that to stay interested and enthused for the long haul. One of my flavors is devotional readings, similar to what I'm doing with the Humble King Devotional.

I've got several devotional resources I scan here and there. One is a daily email from Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback Church in southern California. You can find the link to this sample as well as other resources here.



This one was worth saving, on self-control. I honestly don't think most people have a great handle on the concept of self-control. Either we're the free spirit and throw caution to the wind in many areas of our life, spontaneous as the Wild Hogs. Or we go all Nazi with our personal disciplines and try to guilt everyone around us into the same routine. Or we swing violently from one extreme to the other. Or we confine that sort of carefulness to certain areas of our life and color outside the lines everywhere else.

So, with that in mind, I really resonated with Rick's thoughts...

Developing Biblical Self-Control Tuesday January 26 2010 Posted by Rick Warren A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28 (NLT) People with self-control master their moods. They do not let their moods master them. Most of what gets done in the world is accomplished by people who do the right thing even when they don't feel like it: "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." (Proverbs 25:28, NLT) People with self-control watch their words. They put their minds in gear before opening their mouths: "Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself." (Proverbs 13:3, TEV) People with self-control restrain their reactions. How much can you take before you lose your cool? "If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it." (Proverbs 19:11, TEV) People with self-control stick to their schedule. If you don't determine how you will spend your time, then others will decide for you: "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV) People with self-control manage their money. They learn to live on less than what they make and they invest the difference. The value of a budget is that it tells your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went! "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." (Proverbs 21:20, NIV) People with self-control maintain their health. That way they can accomplish more and enjoy their achievements: "Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body ...." (1 Thessalonians 4:4, MSG) In what areas do you need to develop for self-control? The disciplines you establish today will determine your success tomorrow. But it takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself: "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, TEV) ------------------- For me, Evan, it's not about guilt but the rewards of virtue. Right choices lead to right emotions and good consequences in my life. Here's to self-control!