I had decided to cut down on sugar and eat more produce. Get healthy! I can do this! Until I traveled eight hours to a conference.
I drove there, having stops in mind. But, I had more than a few hiccoughs and was concerned about making the first event. I skipped my meal breaks in hopes of not being late. Arriving on time, I checked in and famished, realized no real food was available at that time. In desperation, I consumed more sugar than I vowed I’d allowed.
Oh, I know! I could have started the trip earlier.
I could have packed snacks.
I could have stopped for lunch at the last exit.
But I didn’t do any of these. I had not prepared.
I have learned one key for me practicing self-control is making the decision ahead of the temptation. 1 Peter 5:6-8 tells us, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I need to remember that I have a very real enemy who is always looking for opportunity to take me down when I least expect it.
We can see what Jesus did in Matthew 4 when satan came after Him.
Jesus was led into the wilderness.
He was alone.
He’d fasted forty days and nights.
He was hungry.
Satan came at Him, challenging both Christ’s identity and His pride.
Jesus was lonely and hungry. He was probably physically weak and emotionally fragile. Does that ever sound like a recipe for losing self-control?
Yet Jesus didn’t. Instead, He had a ready answer.
Jesus knew God’s Word, God’s promises, and what Christ’s decision should be to glorify the Father. Jesus also identified how to keep satan from obtaining a foothold.
Jesus knew not to give in and to wield God’s Word. 1 Corinthians 9:24 challenges us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way to get the prize.”
How can we help ensure we win the battle against self-control?
- Decide beforehand what is permissible and beneficial for me.
- Set boundaries or guardrails. If I’m getting closer to temptation, stop! Force myself to change direction.
- Pray for discernment and for a battleplan.
By deciding beforehand we preempt our enemy’s ability to shock us into a decision made on a whim. And, we strengthen the resolve to both follow God’s directives and draw closer to Him.
Let’s ask for His help to do just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of self-control. Please help me to be intentional using this gift. Help me think through what You would author as permissible and beneficial for me. Through it all Lord, draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.