SATURDAY September 14, 2019
A Spirit of Self-Control
So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. Then Abishai said to David, “God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!”
1 Samuel 26:7-8
Abishai, one of David’s loyal men, saw a great opportunity to get rid of Saul. Surrounded by his captain Abner, and his men of war; Saul lay in a deep sleep with his spear next to his head. Abishai said to David, “All right! This is it! He eagerly asked David, “Let me have the privilege of taking Saul’s spear so I can drive it through his heart?”
David was controlled by the Spirit of God. He was a man of prayer––a true leader. He did not allow Abishai to harm Saul. Now, if I was David, and I found my enemy was sound asleep before me, I might have said to Abishai, “Go for it––kill him––for he is my enemy.” I would have gotten rid of Saul. David is such a good model for us to follow.
There are times in life where we will be called upon to exercise great restraint––self-control. It may take us walking away from a situation or not speaking what is really on our minds. We cannot have self-control in our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Galatians 5:16 tells us, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. What is the natural fruit of walking in the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 gives to us the answer: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Do you have evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
We must have a spirit of power towards the enemy, a spirit of love towards men, and a spirit of self-control towards ourselves.
~Watchman Nee~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!