Walking in Self-Control: Aligning Our Cravings with God's Calling
Have you ever found yourself caught between what you want right now and what you ultimately desire for your life? This tension between immediate gratification and long-term fulfillment is a struggle we all face. It's a battle between our cravings and our calling, and it's at the heart of what it means to walk in self-control.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. The Fruit of the Sinful Nature
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, paints a vivid picture of two contrasting ways of living. On one hand, we have the fruit of the sinful nature - a list of behaviors and attitudes that lead to regret and spiritual death. On the other, we have the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Interestingly, if we were to analyze these two "produce sections," none of us would argue that the sinful nature is better. Even those who don't identify as Christians would likely agree that the qualities produced by the Spirit are far superior to what we naturally produce on our own. So why is change so hard? Why do we struggle to embrace the better way of living?
The Craving Conundrum
The answer lies in a simple yet profound truth: Often, what we currently want doesn't line up with what we ultimately want. Our immediate cravings can blind us to our long-term desires and calling.
Consider the fascinating experiment conducted by neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz with Julio the monkey. As Julio learned to associate certain shapes on a screen with a reward of blackberry juice, his brain began to anticipate the pleasure even before receiving the juice. When the reward was delayed or didn't come at all, Julio became frustrated and angry. He had developed a craving that overrode other options, even when presented with food, play, or companionship.
This monkey business isn't so far removed from our human experience. How often do we find ourselves fixated on a screen, ignoring relationships and experiences that truly matter? Our cravings for approval, success, or temporary pleasures can easily short-circuit what we ultimately want - a life aligned with God's purposes.
Cravings That Threaten Our Calling
The danger of unchecked cravings goes beyond mere distraction; they can threaten our very calling. Consider the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4. After fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus was approached by the devil with a seemingly simple suggestion: turn stones into bread.
At first glance, this temptation might not seem particularly sinister. After all, Jesus was hungry, and using His power to meet a basic need doesn't appear inherently sinful. However, the core of this temptation was whether Jesus would operate based on the cravings of His body or the calling God had placed on His life.
This same struggle persists in our lives today. It's easy to take things that were never meant to satisfy us and convince ourselves that they provide the nourishment we need. We turn stones into bread when we chase after wrong relationships to fulfill our need for love, or when we become so focused on what we want to do that we forget who we're supposed to be.
The Devil's Marketing Strategy
The enemy is a master of deception, expertly repackaging and rebranding temptations to make us overlook their true nature. He hits us when we're hungry - when we're tired, frustrated, or feeling unfulfilled. In these vulnerable moments, anything can look appealing, even things that offer no real sustenance.
It's not about what we do when we feel strong that makes the difference; it's what we do when we feel hungry. The apostle Paul candidly shared his own struggle with this in Romans 7:15, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."
The Power of God's Spirit
This is where the fruit of self-control, produced by God's Spirit, becomes crucial. Self-control isn't just about resisting a cookie or an extra slice of cake. It's about being in control of ourselves in those moments when our cravings try to control us. It's the power to resist things that might look good now but don't align with what God knows is better for us.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in His response to the devil's temptation: "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). He didn't deny the reality of physical needs but pointed to something far more important - living out what the Father has spoken.
Imagine how different our lives could be if we adopted this mentality. What if, in moments of temptation, we reminded ourselves: "My priority isn't just my physical needs. It's living out what my Father has spoken. He's called me His child, assigned me worth, and given me a purpose!"
Be Filled with the Spirit
The key to walking in self-control isn't just about resisting wrong things; it's about experiencing a different, more sufficient source of satisfaction. In Ephesians 5, Paul advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (v. 18). The instruction is clear: don't just resist, replace. Take that internal craving and feed it in a way that develops a different appetite.
As we conclude, let's reflect on our own lives. Have our cravings started to impact the future God has for us? Are we constantly consuming things we don't want to crave because we're living life hungry? The good news is that how our life has been doesn't have to be how it is moving forward. God's Spirit wants to work in us to produce self-control, aligning our immediate desires with our ultimate calling.
Let's choose today to be filled with the Spirit, allowing Him to satisfy our deepest hungers and empower us to walk in self-control. As we do, we'll find ourselves producing the beautiful fruit of love, joy, peace, and all the other qualities that reflect the character of Christ in our lives.
The Fruit of the Spirit vs. The Fruit of the Sinful Nature
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, paints a vivid picture of two contrasting ways of living. On one hand, we have the fruit of the sinful nature - a list of behaviors and attitudes that lead to regret and spiritual death. On the other, we have the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Interestingly, if we were to analyze these two "produce sections," none of us would argue that the sinful nature is better. Even those who don't identify as Christians would likely agree that the qualities produced by the Spirit are far superior to what we naturally produce on our own. So why is change so hard? Why do we struggle to embrace the better way of living?
The Craving Conundrum
The answer lies in a simple yet profound truth: Often, what we currently want doesn't line up with what we ultimately want. Our immediate cravings can blind us to our long-term desires and calling.
Consider the fascinating experiment conducted by neuroscientist Wolfram Schultz with Julio the monkey. As Julio learned to associate certain shapes on a screen with a reward of blackberry juice, his brain began to anticipate the pleasure even before receiving the juice. When the reward was delayed or didn't come at all, Julio became frustrated and angry. He had developed a craving that overrode other options, even when presented with food, play, or companionship.
This monkey business isn't so far removed from our human experience. How often do we find ourselves fixated on a screen, ignoring relationships and experiences that truly matter? Our cravings for approval, success, or temporary pleasures can easily short-circuit what we ultimately want - a life aligned with God's purposes.
Cravings That Threaten Our Calling
The danger of unchecked cravings goes beyond mere distraction; they can threaten our very calling. Consider the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, as recorded in Matthew 4. After fasting for forty days and nights, Jesus was approached by the devil with a seemingly simple suggestion: turn stones into bread.
At first glance, this temptation might not seem particularly sinister. After all, Jesus was hungry, and using His power to meet a basic need doesn't appear inherently sinful. However, the core of this temptation was whether Jesus would operate based on the cravings of His body or the calling God had placed on His life.
This same struggle persists in our lives today. It's easy to take things that were never meant to satisfy us and convince ourselves that they provide the nourishment we need. We turn stones into bread when we chase after wrong relationships to fulfill our need for love, or when we become so focused on what we want to do that we forget who we're supposed to be.
The Devil's Marketing Strategy
The enemy is a master of deception, expertly repackaging and rebranding temptations to make us overlook their true nature. He hits us when we're hungry - when we're tired, frustrated, or feeling unfulfilled. In these vulnerable moments, anything can look appealing, even things that offer no real sustenance.
It's not about what we do when we feel strong that makes the difference; it's what we do when we feel hungry. The apostle Paul candidly shared his own struggle with this in Romans 7:15, "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."
The Power of God's Spirit
This is where the fruit of self-control, produced by God's Spirit, becomes crucial. Self-control isn't just about resisting a cookie or an extra slice of cake. It's about being in control of ourselves in those moments when our cravings try to control us. It's the power to resist things that might look good now but don't align with what God knows is better for us.
Jesus demonstrated this perfectly in His response to the devil's temptation: "People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). He didn't deny the reality of physical needs but pointed to something far more important - living out what the Father has spoken.
Imagine how different our lives could be if we adopted this mentality. What if, in moments of temptation, we reminded ourselves: "My priority isn't just my physical needs. It's living out what my Father has spoken. He's called me His child, assigned me worth, and given me a purpose!"
Be Filled with the Spirit
The key to walking in self-control isn't just about resisting wrong things; it's about experiencing a different, more sufficient source of satisfaction. In Ephesians 5, Paul advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" (v. 18). The instruction is clear: don't just resist, replace. Take that internal craving and feed it in a way that develops a different appetite.
As we conclude, let's reflect on our own lives. Have our cravings started to impact the future God has for us? Are we constantly consuming things we don't want to crave because we're living life hungry? The good news is that how our life has been doesn't have to be how it is moving forward. God's Spirit wants to work in us to produce self-control, aligning our immediate desires with our ultimate calling.
Let's choose today to be filled with the Spirit, allowing Him to satisfy our deepest hungers and empower us to walk in self-control. As we do, we'll find ourselves producing the beautiful fruit of love, joy, peace, and all the other qualities that reflect the character of Christ in our lives.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
Categories
no categories
No Comments