In his first letter Peter wrote, “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 Pet. 1:13). Satan cannot overpower us. God will help us but we are responsible for controlling ourselves. Whether it be controlling anger, exercising sobriety, or any other challenge in life—be self-controlled.
One of the great challenges facing humanity is sexual purity. God made us male and female and intended mutual attraction, guided by principles of spiritual responsibility (Gen. 1:27, 2:24; Matt. 19:1-6). Paul tells us to flee from fornication or sexual immorality. He writes, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Sexual purity is often emphasized. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God” (1 Thess. 4:3-5). Sexual immorality is not a given; it is forbidden.
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To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC
