Be Ready - Wednesday, 2026.03.18
Why is it so hard for us to exercise self-control?
Why is it so hard for us to exercise self-control?
Actually, all of us STRIVE toward immediate gratification instead of long-term rewards. Most of us even justify our nature by quoting some Bible verses out of context:
But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” {Isaiah 22.13 (BSB)}
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ {Luke 12.19 (BSB)}
“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” {1 Corinthians 15.32b (BSB)}
Let’s continue in sin so that grace may increase! {Romans 6.1b (ABV)}
But ripping sound-bites out of the Bible actually leads to sin. The Bible is clear: “the wages of sin is death” {Romans 6.23a (BSB)}
In addition to the “stick”, the Bible also offers “carrots” in the form of rewards!
Here are just seven from the book of Revelation. The context is omitted for brevity, but please read the whole passage!
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. {Revelation 2.7b (BSB)}
The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death. {Revelation 2.11 (BSB)}
To the one who overcomes, I will give the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it. {Revelation 2.17b (BSB)}
And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery — just as I have received authority from My Father. And I will give him the morning star. {Revelation 2.26-28 (BSB)}
He who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. {Revelation 3.5 (BSB)}
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. {Revelation 3.12 (BSB)}
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. {Revelation 3.21 (BSB)}
So, I ask again, why is it so hard for all of us to exercise self-control and overcome????
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Authorized Bud Version (ABV) courtesy of Scott!