HOW EFFICIENT IS YOUR BRAKE?

Dearly Beloved, HOW EFFICIENT IS YOUR BRAKE? “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13 NIV). “[God’s] grace instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this world” (Titus 2:12 TEV). A brake is a device for arresting or preventing the motion of a mechanism usually by means of friction. It is a very important device in a vehicle. The brake system in a vehicle consists of handbrake, brake pedal, brake pad, and brake fluid container among other things. Anyone who will drive a vehicle must make sure that the brake system of the vehicle is functioning well. Brake failure can be very dangerous especially when it occurs unexpectedly on motion. Interestingly, applying brake abruptly and without tactics on motion can be more dangerous. Every normal human being must also have a brake system that he or she would be using to control him/herself. Such system is called self control or temperance. It is an act of controlling or mastering one’s actions, emotions, desires and passions, especially one’s sensual appetites. The Bible teaches that self-control is a virtue that every Christian should imbibe (Proverbs 23:1-3; 25:16; Daniel 1:8, 12-16; 1 Corinthians 7:9; 9:25; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 1 Timothy 3:2-3, 8; Titus 1:8; 2:2-3, 12; 1 Peter 1:13; 2 Peter 1:6). Only those who allow God a space in their lives and make His grace their brake fluid will have efficient brake called self control or temperance. It is unfortunate that some people do not have this important virtue. They do not know how to control or comport themselves when it matters most. No wonder, such people do things anyhow to their detriment. Their lack of self control has caused, and is still causing, avoidable havoc to their reputation. Do you have brake in your life? How efficient is your brake? How are you controlling yourself, your actions, emotions, desires and passions, especially your sensual appetites? Do you have effective control over yourself and these things? In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Pray that the Lord will help you to always take care of the brake of your life and be using it effectively.