Tuesday, January 17, 2012

3
Comment

Why Are Some People Self-Controlled And Others Aren’t?

A question that’s been bugging me lately is, “What precedes temperance?”

Our church just finished the second week of a series called, “Do This, Not That.” It’s a series on the seven deadly sins – a collection of sins that have proved to be the most troublesome for Christians to eradicate from their lives.

The solution, Galatians 5 and other scriptures exhort us, is to focus on cultivating a corresponding virtue that ultimately supplants the vice we struggle with.

This past Sunday we discussed the deadly sin of gluttony, and how focusing on temperance (i.e. “tempering our impulses to spend, eat, speak rashly, whatever) cultivates the spiritual strength to withstand all forms of gluttony.

But what precedes temperance? When you see someone who oozes self-control, what causes them to be so? What gives them the inner drive to control themselves?

The answer: vision.

They have a clear picture of what’s possible in their lives, and that vision consumes them.

I talk more about this in my message, but ultimately the real sin of gluttony is not food, but a staggering failure to stay inspired.

You keep God’s vision for financial freedom burning red hot in your life and you’ll end up avoiding debt and disciplining yourself to save. You keep God’s vision for your marriage before your eyes and you’ll control your tongue. Those who are the most self-controlled are not those who have a supernaturally empowered character ethic. They’re just regular people like you and me who possess (or, more accurately, “have been possessed by”) a clear picture of what God wants them to become.

Vision drives temperance.

My question for you is: “If vision motivates you to temper your lifestyle to achieve God’s best for you, how do you stay inspired?”

 

Recent Posts You Might Find Interesting:

Intimidation Letter Sent By FBI to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Five Reasons You MUST Add This To Your Bucket List NOW

Rejecting The “You’re Not Committed Enough” Guilt Trip

You Can’t Medicate Your Way Out Of Not Giving A Crap

My Car Ride With Francis Chan

The Perfect Plan?

When Is American Idol On?

 

in Biblical Issues, Living It Out, Sermons
  • http://jonstolpe.com Jon Stolpe

    For me, accountability is key. Tell someone your vision. Ask them to confirm your vision, and ask them to hold you accountable to going after the vision.

    After that, I’d recommend plugging into resources that align with your vision that will motivate, encourage, and provide direction along the way. This starts with God’s Word, but it might lead to other things as well. For example, if my vision is to be financially free so I can give like no one else, I’d recommend listening to Dave Ramsey and reading his books. I’d suggest going to Financial Peace University and meeting with a financial counselor. If my vision is to be physically fit, I’d meet with a trainer, eat good food, study material about being physically fit, and I’d grab a fitness partner to hold me accountable to meeting my fitness goals.

    • Brian Jones

      Bill and Jon, one of the things that’s really helped me in the past three years was reading a book called “The War of Art” by Steve Pressfield. In it he talked about how every time you attempt to do something positive in your life you are always met by “resistance.”

      The book promo says: What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece? The War of Art identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success. The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline. Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.

      Here are a few quotes that have inspired me:

      “This very moment, we can change our lives. There never was a moment, and never will be, when we are without the power to alter our destiny. This second, we can turn the tables on Resistance.”

      “What finally convinced me to go ahead was simply that I was so unhappy not going ahead.”

      “Socrates demonstrated long ago, that the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery.”

      “The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not come, whatever they like.”

      “The amateur does not love the game enough. If he did, he would not pursue it as a sideline, distinct from his “real” vocation. The professional loves it so much he dedicates his life to it. He commits full-time.”

      Anyway, I have this book on my Kindle and have read it maybe 6-7 times. Just great motivational stuff to keep me disciplined.

  • http://billgrandi.com bill (cycleguy)

    One of the things that motivates me is to keep in mind the goal that i want to accomplish- in my case health and a certain amount of miles. I ride a bike (my own power). My goal for 2011 was 3000 miles. I hit that in 2010. I kept striving for that goal. Fell about 200 short but some things changed my riding for several weeks. However, that goal kept me riding much later in the year than normal.

Switch to our mobile site