Distinct Self-Control in Christ

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)    
     Passage: Psalm 118:1-9

         Dr. Walter Mischel was a well-known psychologist from the mid to late 20th century. One of the key areas that he was known for was studying the psychology of delayed gratification and self-control. Many referred to him as the Marshmallow Man because of a simple test and study he did which began with a group of 5 year old children and then followed up on them years later when they were finishing high school. The test involved the test giver having each child sit at a table and placing a marshmallow on the table. The child was told that the test giver would be leaving and the child could either eat the marshmallow before the test giver returned, or the child would receive a second marshmellow if he/she would wait till the giver returned. When Mischel followed up on those children years later, he found that overall, the children who had the self-control to wait, had higher SAT scores, better overall grades, lower obesity rates, less substance abuse and they coped better with stress. He would later write an encouragement to young parents who might be worried about their own children, “Whether you eat the marshmallow at 5 isn’t your destiny. Self-control can be taught.”

Self-control or self-discipline is a choice that is the ability to master your own behavior, especially in terms of your reactions and impulses. The lack of self-control has negative consequences such as leading to debilitating debt from overspending or gambling, broken relationships or abuse from uncontrolled anger, or physical illnesses due to lack of control in healthy eating. However, the ability to exercise self-control has many positive consequences. It can be developed in any life, but the distinction of self-control for a believer is found in the source of the Holy Spirit within you and the motivation to glorify Christ and be the best you can be to fulfill His purposes for your life.

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