Thoughts For The Day (Or Maybe Longer?)

[SeniorSeeker]

[size=large]Thoughts For The Day (Or Maybe Longer?)[/size]

G. Gordon Liddy was one of the infamous Watergate conspirators. Liddy ended up serving more jail time than anyone else in this scandal, which rocked the United States in the 1970s. One time, when trying to recruit a young woman for criminal activity, Liddy invited her to a restaurant. During the discussion, she asked how she could trust him; that is, suppose he were caught, how could she know that he would not turn her in? In order to prove to her his self-control, Liddy placed his finger over a lit candle at the table, and held it there long enough for his flesh to start burning before he removed it. His point was to show her just how much self-control he had. How does that kind of self-control compare with the fruit of the Spirit we have looked at this week? Can we find something noble and worth emulating in that kind of self-control? Are self-control and discipline always necessarily good?

In what ways might self-control become a means to fanaticism? How could we avoid the danger of making self-control a form of legalism? Do you know someone who is suffering because of principle; that is, when tempted, they exhibited self-control like Joseph, and are now suffering some difficult consequences? How can you, either as a class or as an individual, help this person through his or her difficult time?

 

[7centsworth]

Self control is something that is rare these days. Sometimes even I struggle with it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Anonymous]

I have to say holding a finger over a lit candle long enough to burn the flesh is really showing self-control, but it is not a sin to burn your finger, although we would be tempting God to not let it be a horrible burn! I think the lusts of the flesh, like not controlling our fleshly desires or feelings when yelled at, or when tempted to commit infideltiy, adultery, sexual perversion, lying and being greedy or any other thing that goes against God's teachings of absolute truth in His holy word the, Bible! These are where we need to have self-control and not to anything that the flesh would have us do....the flesh is weak but the spirit is willing by having godly wisdom and knowledge from the Scriptures written by prophets of old through the leading of God's Holy Spirit! We each have our weaknesses and that is where satan will tempt us the most, so self-control would be saying no and telling the devil (the Temptor) to flee when temptation comes! May God Bless! Amen! Ma Betty

 

[Mike Chgo area]

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