Main Scriptures: 1Tim.3:1-7
More Scriptures: 1Cor.9:27, Dan.1:8, 1Cor.14:2
A leader must not be…………….overfond of wine…….(1Tim.3:2-4 )MSG
One of the most potent weapons satan uses against the husbandman is lack of self-control. Satan ensures that the husbandman lacks the capacity to say no to wrong counsel, suggestions, invitation to do evil, steal, beat up their wife and have sexual relationship with another woman. The inability of the husbandman to have control over what his body wants and his mind wants to do has been the reason for so many calamities in the sheepfold. Untimely deaths, battered wives and disfigured children, imprisonment and much more. That is not the will of God for the shepherd. God wants the shepherd to have self-control and that is why He commands that it must be your pursuit if you want to make the most of your headship as the godly man, husband and father to your wife, children and the society.
Now, what is self-control? It is simply living a disciplined life. As the godly shepherd, you must be very disciplined with what you say, where you go and what you eat as well as the people you relate with. It is one important virtue you must pray for if you want to overcome the mess you have found yourself in. As the godly leader, it is for lack of discipline that you will abuse your wife and children, have sexual relationship with your housemaid or your sister-in-law. There are three areas that the Scripture requires you to exercise self-control. The first is the words that come out from your mouth. The second is the thoughts that flow in your mind. And the third is your body. The Bible says that we should bring our bodies under (1Cor.9:27). Bringing your body under means that you have been able to take charge of and you are in control of what your body wants. So, your appetite for food, sex, and material things must align with the desire of God for you. For instance, you do not become angry to the extent of insulting and abusing your wife because she did not prepare your meal on time. Or you cannot hold onto your sexual urge for the few days that your wife has travelled out of town. Or you cannot hold back your hands from stealing what does not belong to you. You cannot allow your life to continue to float like a ship without an anchor. You must exercise yourself unto a life of self-discipline.
But how I become a disciplined leader in my sheepfold? The first step is for you to purpose in your heart that you will never cross the line just as Daniel did. And Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself with the king’s meat…(Dan.1:8) Secondly, you must pray in the Holy Ghost by speaking in an unknown tongue. The Bible says that he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks mysteries (1Cor.14:2). Thirdly, you must continue to ask the Lord by His Spirit to help you discern what to say, where to go, who to go with, how to go.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask You to forgive me for living an undisciplined life.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask for Your mercy to prevail in my life over my willful errors against You, my wife and children.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me to put my body under control and subject it to Your will.
FAITH CONFESSION
I receive the Spirit of God to exercise control over my appetite for food, sex and material things because that is what makes me the good and godly leader in Jesus Name. Amen.
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