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"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." Ephesians 3:16, 17.
"The love of God in the soul will have a direct influence upon the life and will call the intellect and the affections into active, healthful exercise. The child of God will not rest satisfied until he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ and sustained by His life-giving power. When he sees a weakness in his character, it is not enough to confess it again and again; he must go to work with determination and energy to overcome his defects by building up opposite traits of character. . . . Everyone who is sincerely striving for the victory over self will appropriate the promise, 'My grace is sufficient for thee.' [2 Corinthians 12:9]" —My Life Today, p. 99.
This striving is only successful in and through God's "incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty
strength,which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead." Ephesians 1:19, 20. “The fruit of the Spirit is….self control” Galatians 5:22, 23.
Our hearts and minds, our thoughts and affections are where we need Christ. This is where we win or lose our battles. This is where God wants His love to triumph!
You have in Christ a source of strength and peace! You can find happiness in ministry to others! You have spiritual reinforcement to face life's stresses!
The Lord desires that His disciples should have the mastery over selfish tendencies and live self-controlled lives. God will help you bring your inclinations, desires, and purposes into harmony with His divine will.
In this lesson you will discover the Bible teaching about—
BE SELF-CONTROLLED
1. What statement by the apostle Peter indicates the need to discipline one's mind? 1 Peter 1:13.
1 Peter 1:13 (NIV) Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Note: In this verse we are called to self-control at the level of our thoughts. This may seem impossible and it is true that Jesus said "without me you can do nothing" --John 15:5 (NKJV) However, God's plan for you is to be "strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."--Ephesians 3:16 (NKJV) And we are promised "the fruit of the Spirit is...self-control" --Galatians 5:22, 23 (NKJV).
It is at the level of our thoughts that Christ wants to lead us to victory. Matthew 12:35 (NKJV) "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. Proverbs 12:5 The thoughts of the righteous are right. Proverbs 15:26 (NIV) The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.
2. What counsel does the Bible give the Christian about controlling the thoughts? 2 Corinthians 10:5, last part.
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
3. What did Christ say about the joy of His followers? John 15:10, 11.
John 15:10-11 (NIV) If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Note: Joy and happiness are gifts from Christ. He warned us we would have trouble in the world but in spite of this He wants us to focus on Him and choose to be cheerful.
John 16:33 (NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Proverbs 15:15 (NIRV) All the days of those who are crushed are filled with pain and suffering. But a cheerful heart enjoys a good time that never ends.
4. What is the first condition of being blessed? Psalm 144:15.
Psalms 144:15 (NIV) Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.
How would put this into life practice?
5. What is the relationship between happiness and conscience? Acts 24:16; Romans 14:22.
Acts 24:16 (NIV) So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
Romans 14:22 (NIV) So whatever you believe about these things [disputable matters see vs. 1] keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Note:The Context of Romans 14:22 is about "disputable matters," things that are not absolutely clear in Scripture. In Paul's day there were disputes about days to fast on or whether or not it was a sin to eat foods that had been offered to idols but could be purchased at a lower price in the market. There may be differences of opinion among believers about some things but if Scripture isn't absolutely clear we need to avoid trying to be conscience for someone else but be obedient to our own conscience according to how the Spirit is convicting our conscience.
"If the mind is free and happy, from a consciousness of right-doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body."—My Life Today, p. 150.
6. What is another source of happiness to the followers of Christ? Proverbs 14:21, last part.
Proverbs 14:21 (HCSB) The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy.
Note: "It is in unselfish ministry that true happiness is found."—My Life Today, p. 165.
7. What is a common cause of personal conflict and poor spirituality? Matthew 6:24.
Matthew 6:24 (NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
8. Can you always do what you want? If not, why not? Romans 8:13, 14; Galatians 5:17.
Romans 8:13, 14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14) because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Galatians 5:17 (NIV) For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
9. What is the relationship between greed, happiness and healthy relationships? Ecclesiastes 4:7, 8.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-8 (NIV) Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8) There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!
10. What promise does the follower of Christ have for personal well-being? Psalm 37:3-5.
Psalms 37:3-5 (NIV) Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4) Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
11. Why does the religion of Christ contribute to mental health? Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27.
Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Note: "The religion of Christ, so far from being the cause of insanity, is one of its most effectual remedies; for it is a potent soother of the nerves."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 444.
12. In what way do you think godliness and contentment will enhance your happiness? 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 (NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8) But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9) People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
13. How can you be protected from stress burnout? Philippians 4:13; Psalm 9:10.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Psalms 9:10 (NIV) Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
DISCIPLESHIP COMMITMENT
The Christian with Christ in the heart and life has a source of inner strength and happiness. These are spiritual reinforcements in the life which the non-Christian does not have. Do you find your new source of spiritual strength is enabling you to better cope with life? If so, how?
ADDITIONAL HELPS:
"Many are inquiring, "How am I to make the surrender of myself to God?" You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to men; it is theirs to exercise. You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections; but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will; He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. Thus your whole nature will be brought under the control of the Spirit of Christ; your affections will be centered upon Him, your thoughts will be in harmony with Him."-- Steps to Christ p. 47
"A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love --this is the subject for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.--Steps to Christ p. 70
"When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life's cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections--to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory." --Steps to Christ p. 71
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Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.