The Thought For Today

Encouraging You Through God's Word

     The KJV dictionary defines a doer as one who does; one who performs or executes. Simply putting all of God’s standards into practice is being a doer of God’s Word. So, when we look at the phrase self-control, it indicates the control or constraint of oneself or one’s behavior. How can you and I be “A Self-Controlled Doer”? Well, there are 2 areas that we should explore.

     The first area is AWARENESS! You and I cannot do anything on our own. We have to be conscious of this fact.  The Bible reminds us in Philippians 2:13, “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” David was aware that he could do nothing without God. He said in Psalm 16:2, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” So, if you and I want to be “A Self-Controlled Doer”, we must be mindful of our humanity.

     The next area is ALLOW! As followers of Christ, we have a 24-hour, 7 days a week, a 365 day a year helper at our disposal who is the Holy Spirit. Although there are numerous things that the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer, we will focus on the guiding and teaching portion. Being “A Self-Controlled Doer” is something we strive to be, but it is impossible to fulfill without the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Talking to His disciples, Jesus reminded them as well as us today that we have help. It says in John 14:26, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” Because Jesus loved us, He did not leave us on an island to fend for ourselves-we have the Master Teacher who is able to help us. If we ask for His help, He will enable you and I to live out God’s principles. The other aspect of allow is the guidance portion. I don’t know about you, but I require the help of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of my life. John 16:13 reminds us that the Holy Spirit will also guide us to all truth. What truth, exactly? There is only one truth: the truth of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit will assist us in dealing with the details of our lives.

     Each of us has a decision to make at the end of the day. We must make the decision to fully obey God and follow His direction. When we do this, we can have faith that the Holy Spirit will empower us to be “A Self-Controlled Doer” of God’s Word.