YES YOU CAN…. Quit Anything !!!! …. SELFCONTROL

Improving your self-control

 and quitting smoking, drinking, overeating, sexual behaviors, drugs, and other excesses.

 

Many have found it ” easy ” to quit. 

 I for one,  have ” quit ” many times, 

only to find my motivation was eventually replaced with my failure, and then, my rationalization of why I failed.

 

   Certainly it is not in God’s interest that we continue in many of these ways,  even if we believe these actions affect no-one else

 

Smoking, drinking and eating are NOT sin,  although we do know that God would desire better of us.

 

 So what motivation is there to provide a STRONG will to quit ????

 

   I say STRONG WILL because we know from experience that the ” will to quit ” that we have now, is NOT sufficient to sustain our desire to do so….in other words, as much as we  ‘ want  to ‘ ,  on  our own we are often unable to.

 If this were not so…success in quitting would prevail,  and our experience tells us that it doesn’t.

 

   Peer groups, like AA and Weight Watchers, etc do offer some ‘ support ‘ and understanding of cause-and-effect………

but the ‘ motivation ‘ of peer groups is not continuous, therefore the programs are not the BEST long term solution.

 

   Just because we know better,  just because family, friends or others have encouraged us, harrassed us, or deserted us….

   Just because we desire to quit,   really desire to quit,   even pray to God,  we have not developed  a STRONG WILL,

 so we have not succeeded in controlling our actions into the future.

 

A STRONG Will controls THOUGHTS…not Actions

 

   Sin is as much the thought as it is the action…….Mat 5:28    

 Lust is a desire that began with a thought …if the thought  had been controlled,  the action ( lust) would not have occurred

 

  The Laws of Moses,  the Ten Commandments,  ..as well as further commands of God,

are defined by both word and example throughout the Bible …

They are there to provide an idea of what displeases God 

 

   But now, from the teachings of Jesus, we also know it’s not just the action of committing the sin that displeases God,

but our rejection of Him which is shown by that willful action.

 

   Jesus continued teaching  this, emphasising  “ Loving God..and all others  is by command ”  ,  and that our obedience is expected,

Our commitment and response is what pleases God,  when they are a result of love, not fear

 

   Jesus simply said,  “ If you love me, you will obey me “

 

   Therefore , when God sees your obedience, He will feel your love…………….and rescue you  Ps 91:14

 

   Certainly there are many ways to please or displease God, the Bible is full of examples..

When it is our intention to please God, we can find the STRONG WILL to do whatever we believe is right, including increasing our self control over smoking, drinking, and other excesses.  

 

By understanding the Apostle Paul, that “we can do all things through Jesus Christ, Who strengthens us”,  

and  that “all things are possible with God”,  we can have the strength for a STRONG WILL and SELF CONTROL.

 But rejecting that belief is rejecting God and is displeasing to HIM                

  Therein should be our best motivator…pleasing HIM

 

   It is no secret that thinking of Almighty God, changing our focus to God rather than on the circumstances, will bring peace to anyone…and by practicing that ‘focus’, peace will eventually become prevalent in one’s life.   It is through that peace that you are able to gain the increase in self control that is necessary for a STRONG WILL.

 In his letter to the Galatians, Paul said ” When the Holy Spirit controls ( is prevalent in) your  life , HE will produce this kind of fruit in your life   love joy peace patience kindness goodness gentleness faithfulness and self-control . Gal5: 22 

A STRONG WILL,  is capable of obedience……and so first increase your self control by a focus on God

 

Joshua,  John the Baptist, and the Centurion,   all had self control and STRONG WILLS…and obeyed, doing whatever was expected of them…….

and of course there were many others that are recorded in the Bible.

 

By first developing, and practicing, a mental relationship with God,  you will find that the best motivation to do anything, is deciding to please God,  rather than peers, friends, family, or yourself….

and He will provide strength for the duration of your ‘ focus ‘ ,  so that you are successful in changing your life.

 

He is faithful to provide the Grace, (  the power to do what He wants you to do ) Ps 23:3…

and pleasing Him, and giving Him the credit for quitting, is exactly what He wants you to do…in whatever YOU choose to do

 

 

Your success is guaranteed, once your decision is made to control your thoughts by thinking of God more often.

(c) 2002  www.focusonJesus.net

click HERE to learn how to make a Decision that Lasts

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