The Power Of Self-Control

People can do anything they set their minds to do, and nobody will do something that their mind is not set to do. Once the decision has been made to exercise self-control, controlling one's self becomes possible by any means necessary.

In other words, when the decision is sincere and not just a passing thought or fantasy, when the individual makes up in their mind that CHANGE is the order of the day and they have no other choice - do or die, they will do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal.

God says "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16" so we know it is indeed possible to exercise control over the desires of this body of flesh that our spirits live in.

The 'flesh' is a mindset that opposes God's Word, and the 'Spirit' is a mindset that agrees with God's Word.

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2"

This is the do or die issue: If I am going to change or be transformed into what God wants me to be, I must be willing to exchange my earthly mindset for the mindset of God. Christians love the idea of being Born Again spiritually and going to heaven when they die but seem to resist renewing their earthly mindset into a spiritual one.

What's the panic all about? What are we afraid of LOSING? In an airplane, the law of lift must overcome the law of gravity in order for that plane to get off the ground. So many people are scared to death of allowing God to take them to a higher place that transcends the troubles of this earthly life.

Please recognize that Satan has programmed our minds to reject that which is best for us and to run headlong towards destruction. Does it make sense for eagles to be content clucking on the ground with chickens?

Oh, but when that eagle looks up and sees other eagles like himself flying high and discovers what the possibilities are; that he has a higher purpose than the one he is currently engaged in (clucking with chickens) - that's called an epiphany!

If we want to fly like eagles, we must CHANGE what we are doing and do what flying eagles are doing. If a man is 1 million dollars in the hole, what good would it do to give him 1 million dollars if the mindset he had that got him in trouble stays the same? Change your mindset and you'll change your life!

Isn't it amazing how the Most High God is so willing to share His mindset with those who desire to be like Him? Fact of the matter is - it only makes sense for God to share His mindset with those whom He created in His image and His likeness. The power to become Christ-like is available - it's right there for the taking to those who CHOOSE to do so.


In like manner, SPEAK TO YOUR FLESH:
"Flesh, according to God's Word - I am the head and not the tail - you must obey me flesh! You will not play me like a puppet on a string. I command you flesh to calm down and to be at total peace right now. I speak to each craving, each appetite, each evil desire that wars against me and that does not line up with my goal to please God; I command you cravings to leave right now, all bad feelings, all depressions and all symptoms of ill health that don't belong in this flesh: everything that is causing my flesh to do and feel what it should not do and feel - I command you to leave right now, never to return in the name of Jesus by the power of His shed blood!"

In like manner, SPEAK TO THE DEVIL:
"According to Luke 10:19 which says 'Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.' you must obey me devil! You dirty foul evil spirit, I command you to cease and desist all ungodly attacks against my flesh and my mind right now, I command you to flee my presence, flee my home and leave my family alone right now in the name of Jesus, by the power of His shed blood!"

In like manner, SPEAK TO YOURSELF:
"According to God's Word in Colossians 3:2, I set my mind on the higher things of God, I choose to be all that God wants me to be by re-setting my mind; meditating in His Word, listening to God's preachers in order that my faith may be increased, and I choose to walk like God's Son Jesus Christ in the earth! I choose to exercise the dominion God gave me over my body, over the devil and over my circumstances, and I now focus on the end result that I desire in every situation from the very beginning - I walk by faith (the thing hoped for even though it's not seen in the natural yet) and I don't walk by sight (what I see in my present physical circumstances). I choose to be a world-changer, an over-comer, and a victor in every situation according to God's will and by God's help - not my will but God's will be done!"

In like manner, SPEAK TO GOD:
"Father I thank You for choosing me to be Your child! I thank You for the blood sacrifice of Your Son Jesus who died and was raised from the dead in order that I may have eternal life not only after this life, but that I may have an abundant and powerful life here and now to glorify You before others. I praise Your Holy Name Oh God, for the Blessing You've placed over my life that allows me to succeed in everything that I do.

Thank You Lord for the ability to call those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17) and thank You making me aware that I shall have everything that I say according to Mark 11:22-24, and that I am responsible for creating my own reality with the words I speak. And thank You Lord for the power and authority that You've given me over my body, my mind and the Devil! Forgive me for not doing the things You told me to do, and for not doing the things You told me to do Lord. I accept the cleansing blood of Jesus and I forgive myself for all failures in this life! I pray that You allow me to do better by giving me Your wisdom, understanding and discernment to live for You and be a better witness to Your people. Let Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen"

The power of self-control is not a surface thing - it begins with the choice to do so; it comes from the heart of God and flows to and through the hearts of His people. Self-control (temperance) is a fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:23. Be Blessed!