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January 5, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Self-control and City Walls, by Rubel Shelly
"I wish it hadn't happened," she sobbed. "But I'd just had it. I lost
my temper and said some really terrible things. I hope we can get past
it now and make things like they used to be. I should have had more
self-control."
Those could be the words of a wife about a situation at home. They
could just as easily be spoken about a relationship in the office or
with a client. It doesn't take much imagination to hear them being said
about something that took place in the church parking lot last week.
Self-control is named in practically every list of virtues in the New
Testament, but it is contrary to the spirit of our time. Citizens want
lower taxes but not any loss of subsidies or services; thus the
spectacle of a "what's-in-it-for-me" attitude dominates the political
scene. We lament the breakdown of the family and its terrible
consequences for children; yet a philandering husband and father
expects us to understand that he "couldn't help it" when he fell in
love with someone new.
The Bible says: "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who
lacks self-control" (Proverbs 25:28 NIV). Ancient cities like Babylon
or Jerusalem were protected from their enemies by fortified walls. One
whose walls were broken down was a city inviting attack and plunder. In
the same way, human beings without self-control are in danger of being
ruined and humiliated by the blind pursuit of egocentric,
self-indulgent, and forbidden desires.
While each of us may have particular areas of vulnerability such as
food or alcohol, the "big three" where we must all keep some safeguards
in place are money, sex, and power.
Ancient cities needed walls.
Advertisers work overtime to make you think you can't do without their
products, and easy credit means you don't have to wait to buy them.
Three loans and four maxed-out credit cards later, the young couple
decides they need some help with money management. No, they need God's
help to discipline their greed.
Lust can make an otherwise astute, sensible, and good man take leave of
his senses and devastate the lives of everyone who once mattered to
him. Pride and ego have taken over a part of his life that was once
under God's sovereignty.
The devastating temptation for others is power. Authority goes to their
heads and makes them insufferable. Power becomes control, and control
turns into bellowing and bullying. They antagonize and alienate
everyone.
Ancient cities needed walls. You and I need to pray for self-control.
---------
(c) 2008 Used by permission. From Rubel Shelly's "FAX of Life"
printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for previous issues of
the "FAX of Life."
RELATED LINKS:
* The Spirit Produces Self-control
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200210/20021027_selfcontrol.html
* Exercising Self-control
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/praying_paul/pwp.pl?104
* Halt!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200610/20061026_halt.html
* RubelShelly.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200801/20080105_self-control.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
LOOK GREAT, FEEL GREAT: 12 KEYS TO ENJOYING A HEALTHY LIFE NOW, by Joyce Meyer
Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning
every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?250
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