That is, a fairly standard lunch in Western countries. In the evenings we eat dinner and on weekends we have delicious starters, mains and desserts with drinks. In addition to those, there are also various snack delicacies. When I lived in Sweden, I calculate that there are eaten seven (7) times every day, if you include all the snacks! Oh, what delicacies for the stomach! Outright belly worship! In the NT it is written: "...The belly is their god..." Philipp. 3:19
But think that people in many poor countries can only dream of these foods! They often lack even clean water. Among them are also several believers of the New Covenant. Think about what you can do for their lack! Let us remember Adonai Yeshua's exhortation: Matt. 7:12
>>Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.<<
One of the biggest sins of Western nations is overeating. That's why we should exercise self-control also regarding what and how much we eat and what we drink. We have to settle for smaller portions and cheaper foods and drinks so that we can use the saved money to support our starving neighbors in many poor countries and disaster areas.
If we do that, we will be better off, we will be spared from obesity and numerous standard of living diseases, which nowadays plague and kill the inhabitants of Western countries far too young. At the same time, we also feel good when we help our neighbors, and it does not happen to us like that rich and glorious man who (perhaps?) still suffers great pain in the Underworld when the flames burn him. Luke 16:19-31.
Where else do we need self-control?
We need it in quite a lot of things and situations, such as:
- When we get into trouble at work
- When we encounter annoying people
- If we are fascinated by the power to get rich
- As the lust for power seeks our soul
- That we don't think too much of ourselves
- When we are treated wrong on purpose
- When we get teased
- If filthy sexual desires strive for power
- While chatting on social media channels
- When we fail at something
The list could be continued much longer. Our Creator leads us into many kinds of temptations, where lusts are easily ignited in us, to restrain which we need self-control.
How do we learn more self-control?
A proverb says: A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a normal person learns from his own mistakes, but a fool does not even learn from his own mistakes, but repeats them over and over again. Therefore, we should seek wisdom and prayerfully ask for it from our heavenly Father, who has promised to give it to us.
A good advice is to prepare for each new day by praying in the Holy Spirit and asking for a humble disciple's mind. If temptation or lust still manages to surprise us, then it's worth stopping immediately, turning with all your heart and mind to Adonai Yeshua, asking him for wisdom and self-control.
An old piece of advice for parents when one of their children is really misbehaving is: slowly count to ten in your mind. Then too much anger has time to subside and thoughts calm down, so that the child can be held in a spirit of love and meekness. The same advice applies well to many other situations where it is wise to exercise self-control, such as with friends, in work and study situations, and on social media.
The advice: 'Practice makes perfect' also applies here.
P.S. This ninth fruit of the Spirit is the last in this passage in Galatians, but the NT also tells of one very important fruit of the Spirit. I will do a Shabat study on it next week.
P.S. This ninth fruit of the Spirit is the last in this passage in Galatians, but the NT also tells of one very important fruit of the Spirit. I will do a Shabat study on it next week.
Songs suitable for the topic
Give Me Self Control
Trust and Obey
Thank You For Today
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