Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They
get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control.
Pro 5:22,23
This proverb says a lot about people. One of the things that
you hear a lot is how people suffer, how difficult things are, how they can’t
manage, how that they have no joy in life. Granted, there is a lot of suffering
that is well beyond our control, however there is a LOT of stuff that we go
through that is simply brought upon ourselves. Many times, it is our own lack
of self-control that gets us into the jams that we face. This is why the Bible
spends as much time as it does talking about why we need to learn to manage and
control what we do, how we feel, and how we express those things.
Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.” Emotion
is an unreliable thing, and “your gut” is often wrong. As much as we do not
want to hear it, it is our own feelings that lead us down a blind alley. Not
everything you feel is right or authentic or will lead you in the right
direction. This is why God tells us here in this proverb, that not controlling
things like this could even lead to my own death. As a diabetic, controlling my
sugar is paramount to my overall health. If it goes unmanaged, it could
permanently damage kidneys, my liver, my eyes, my vascular system and more.
Grossly unmanaged, I could even die. That
is why for me, self-control is a key to my survival. This is also true
regarding my overall life and spirit too.
That is why we need God in our lives, because there are times simply as
a human, that I cannot manage myself. As
Jeremiah stated long ago, “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in
himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O LORD, but in justice; not in
your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. (Jer.10:23,24). “
Bullying is a hot topic these days, and no one likes to be
or feel manipulated. We consider it degrading, demeaning and disgusting. However,
we are our own worst judges and critics. The plain fact is that if you don’t
control your emotions, they WILL control you, and you will be manipulated by
your moods. What many people do not understand, is that in the background of
these feelings, Satan’s favorite tool is negative emotions. He is the master of
using fear, resentment, and worry to wreck our lives. This is why Peter, a man
well acquainted with having this happen in his life, tries to teach us, “Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet.5:8) God cannot rule your life if you
and your emotions rule your life. Peter had learned that well, the night Jesus
was on trial and he denied Him. Paul
reminds us too, because he did the same thing, “If we follow our desires, we
cannot please God.” (Rom 8:8)
Even our own self-help gurus and motivational speakers tell
us that you need to learn to manage your emotions if you want to succeed in
life. How many people do we know who ruined their reputation because of
something said in the heat of anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of
their lack of self-control to get up on time? Study after study shows that our
emotional quotient is far more important than your IQ when it comes to success.
When you give your heart to Jesus that includes your emotions to be managed by Him.
Giving our lives to God is not just what you think and do. He wants to be Lord
of what is inside you too. Again, Peter
reminds us, “It means you have turned from your own desires and want to obey
God for the rest of your life. (1 Pet 4:2)”
What about your emotions do you need to surrender to God
today?
Jim
