Practicing Self-Control

Some people really believe they can live without debt, while others live in denial so they never have to practice self-control.

The federal reserve reported that in November 2017, U.S. consumer debt reached 3.827 trillion dollars. I believe much of that is the result of greed. Greed is accepted as normal but reveals a severe lack of self-control. We fall for it through ads that convince you to make unnecessary purchases  because “you deserve it!”, “you owe it to yourself!”, “so and so has it!”, or you need it to be fulfilled and happy.

Greed’s a sin and a tactic of our enemy who’s on the prowl to seek, kill and destroy.

Without exercising self-control, believers give in and spend money just like lost people. They make short-term choices without thinking through the painful long-term consequences of debt.

Greed is dangerous!

But, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit given to us by our Heavenly Father. He knew we would need it and could bless others with it. Self-control is the ability to restrain from impulses, emotions, or desires, thus enabling us to steward well what God provides.

Paul warned Timothy, “…that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous…without self-control….(2 Timothy 3: 1-3)

Centuries before Paul mentored Timothy, Solomon taught, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28) In other words, he’d have no means of defense against the enemy.

The enemy wants to keep you in bondage. But, if you want to break free, then you’ve got to deny yourself and exercise the fruit of self-control.

Stop using tomorrow’s dollars to pay for today’s wants. Ask God to give you the ability to reject the mindset of this world so you’ll be content with the riches he’s already given you!

If you need help getting out of overwhelming credit card debt, I want you to get in touch with Christian Credit Counselors. You can start with a free debt analysis today at crown.org/ccc or call us at 800-722-1976