AdornedSample

Day 5: Self-Control

The single word from Titus 2 we’re looking at today represents a daunting requirement—an impossible one, apart from the gospel of Christ. It is this gospel and this Savior we seek to adorn; and it is the same gospel and Savior that empower us to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:12).

In few places do we need the Spirit more consistently than in cultivating self-control? You and I can actually be self-controlled women in a world that is spinning wildly out of control, in a way that beautifully adorns both our own lives and the doctrine of Christ as we share it with others.

A self-controlled lifestyle begins with a self-controlled state of mind—a way of thinking that affects everything about the way we live. A sensible, sound, self-controlled mindset will result in sensible, sound, self-controlled behavior.

By the same token, irrational, impulsive, undisciplined, out-of-control behavior is evidence of thinking that is not self-controlled.

But what you and I are most desperate for is not just more restraint and self-control, but more of Jesus. More of His Spirit. More of His power to live with a saved and sound mind.

And to get more of Him, we need more of His Word. I think most of us underestimate just how much we need it. This is why Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12 is so vital:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (v. 2)

That’s the goal—being transformed by the renewal of our minds. And the proven means of this renewal is time spent in the Word. Reading it. Studying it. Discussing it. Meditating on it. And obeying it.

It is the Word that will restrain your flesh, renew your mind, strengthen your resolve, and give you an appetite for those things that bring God pleasure. It is His Word that will fortify and prepare you for troubles that may lie around the corner.

We can do everything conceivable to force mature behavior from ourselves. We can make promises and mean well. We can get eight hours of sleep a night, maintain a healthy blood pressure, and pay attention to our hormone levels. We can even cram Scripture into our heads on a daily basis. But unless we lean on Jesus for the power to put these truths into practice, we will not be able to find sustainable victory over our rogue thoughts and emotions.

Spirit-produced self-control will elude us unless we’re continually calling out to Him for the transformation He alone can bring about.