Self Control
Matthew 1:24
24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself;
25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named him Jesus.
I just thought about this scripture and found out that the whole program and purpose of God in the birth of Jesus could have been twarted by one man called Joseph.
It took a great deal of self control on the part of Joseph to bring the birth of Jesus to pass.Can you imagine if Joseph had slept with Mary whilst she was pregnant.
We are all enjoying the benefits of his birth because one man (Joseph) decided to control himself.
How many purposes of God have been hindered in your life for your lack of self control?
In Galatians 5:23, have you thought of the reason why the last of all the fruit of the spirit is temperance which is self control? Because without it, all the fruit are of no value!
Have you read before that a man who have no rule over his spirit is like a city that is broken down without walls?(Proverbs 25:28)
Self control is a wall and a protection around you. A man that is not vulnerable is a man that can keep himself under.
It takes self control to pray, fast and walk in obedience because your body is never gonna agree with you on anything spiritual. If you can't even get up from your sofa and put off that television to enter your prayer closet, how strong do you think you are as a Christian?
Anytime God wants to do something with your life,the first person that can easily stop it is you.
Not even the devil, demons and witches but yourself if you don't control yourself to stay within the parameters given by the lord for the fulfillment of the prophetic word.If nobody applauds Joseph for his self-control, I do today because i deem it a great virtue worthy of emulation.
Merry Christmas and happy New year!