5 Day Devotional: The Cost of Self Control
The Cost of Control - Week 1
Day 1: Denying Self to Follow Christ
Reading: Matthew 16:21-26
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Devotional: Jesus' call to discipleship is radical: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Self-denial isn't popular in our culture of self-fulfillment, yet it's the doorway to true life. Peter wanted Jesus without the cross—the benefits without the sacrifice. We often do the same, wanting God's blessings while avoiding the cost of obedience. Today, examine what "taking up your cross" means in your life. What comfortable pattern must you crucify? What appetite demands surrender? The paradox of faith is this: only by losing our life do we truly find it. Self-control begins when we stop serving ourselves and start following Christ.
Reflection: What specific area of your life is Jesus asking you to surrender today?
Day 2: When Your Belly Becomes Your God
Reading: Philippians 3:17-21
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Devotional: Paul warns us about those "whose God is their belly"—people enslaved to their appetites. We're always being discipled by something: either by God's Spirit or by our flesh's desires. Our appetites promise satisfaction but deliver bondage. Whether food, screens, shopping, or anger, unchecked desires become cruel masters that never say "enough." King George IV's gluttony left him unable to breathe lying down, surprised when death came knocking. Nobody eats, drinks, or indulges their way into joy—only into chains. The good news? Our citizenship is in heaven. We belong to a higher kingdom with a better King. Today, identify which appetite has been mastering you, and remember: you were made for more than satisfying your flesh.
Reflection: What appetite in your life promises pleasure but consistently delivers regret?
Day 3: The Battle Within
Reading: Romans 7:14-25
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Devotional: Even Paul, the great apostle, cried out in frustration: "I want to do what is right, but I can't!" If Paul struggled with self-control, we shouldn't be surprised when we do too. There's a war raging within every believer—the Spirit versus the flesh, God's will versus our wants. This internal conflict isn't a sign of weak faith; it's evidence that you're alive spiritually. The flesh hasn't given up its throne easily. But notice where Paul finds hope: "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." Victory doesn't come from willpower alone but through Christ's power working in us. When you feel defeated by repeated failure, remember you're not fighting alone. The Holy Spirit dwells within you, empowering what seems impossible.
Reflection: In what area do you most relate to Paul's struggle? How can you invite Christ into that battle today?
Day 4: Your Body Is a Temple
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.
Devotional: "You were bought with a high price, so honor God with your body." Your body isn't just yours to do with as you please—it's the temple of the Holy Spirit. This transforms how we view self-control. It's not about legalistic rules but about stewardship of something sacred. Sexual immorality, gluttony, substance abuse—these aren't just "bad habits"; they're violations of God's dwelling place. Yet Paul's words aren't condemnation but invitation: you belong to Someone who loves you enough to die for you. Lou Gehrig disciplined his body relentlessly, achieving athletic immortality. How much more should we discipline ourselves for eternal purposes? Not everything permissible is beneficial. Not everything allowable leads to freedom. True liberty comes through loving boundaries, not boundless indulgence.
Reflection: How does viewing your body as God's temple change your approach to self-control?
Day 5: Mastering What Once Mastered You
Reading: Galatians 5:16-25
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Devotional: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control—but here's the irony: the Spirit produces self-control by teaching us to control ourselves. God doesn't magically remove temptation; He strengthens us to resist it. Like Lou Gehrig ripping padding from his seat because "padding makes you soft," spiritual growth requires embracing discomfort. When you say "no" to your flesh, you're building spiritual muscle memory. Each small victory trains you for larger ones. The manager warned Gehrig that alcohol "only ends one way"—and Gehrig never touched it again. He saw the destination and chose a different path. What destructive pattern can you see clearly today? Where does your current trajectory lead? In Christ, you can master what once mastered you. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Reflection: What one appetite will you bring to Jesus' feet today, beginning your journey toward self-control?
Reading: Matthew 16:21-26
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Devotional: Jesus' call to discipleship is radical: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." Self-denial isn't popular in our culture of self-fulfillment, yet it's the doorway to true life. Peter wanted Jesus without the cross—the benefits without the sacrifice. We often do the same, wanting God's blessings while avoiding the cost of obedience. Today, examine what "taking up your cross" means in your life. What comfortable pattern must you crucify? What appetite demands surrender? The paradox of faith is this: only by losing our life do we truly find it. Self-control begins when we stop serving ourselves and start following Christ.
Reflection: What specific area of your life is Jesus asking you to surrender today?
Day 2: When Your Belly Becomes Your God
Reading: Philippians 3:17-21
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
Devotional: Paul warns us about those "whose God is their belly"—people enslaved to their appetites. We're always being discipled by something: either by God's Spirit or by our flesh's desires. Our appetites promise satisfaction but deliver bondage. Whether food, screens, shopping, or anger, unchecked desires become cruel masters that never say "enough." King George IV's gluttony left him unable to breathe lying down, surprised when death came knocking. Nobody eats, drinks, or indulges their way into joy—only into chains. The good news? Our citizenship is in heaven. We belong to a higher kingdom with a better King. Today, identify which appetite has been mastering you, and remember: you were made for more than satisfying your flesh.
Reflection: What appetite in your life promises pleasure but consistently delivers regret?
Day 3: The Battle Within
Reading: Romans 7:14-25
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Devotional: Even Paul, the great apostle, cried out in frustration: "I want to do what is right, but I can't!" If Paul struggled with self-control, we shouldn't be surprised when we do too. There's a war raging within every believer—the Spirit versus the flesh, God's will versus our wants. This internal conflict isn't a sign of weak faith; it's evidence that you're alive spiritually. The flesh hasn't given up its throne easily. But notice where Paul finds hope: "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." Victory doesn't come from willpower alone but through Christ's power working in us. When you feel defeated by repeated failure, remember you're not fighting alone. The Holy Spirit dwells within you, empowering what seems impossible.
Reflection: In what area do you most relate to Paul's struggle? How can you invite Christ into that battle today?
Day 4: Your Body Is a Temple
Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.
Devotional: "You were bought with a high price, so honor God with your body." Your body isn't just yours to do with as you please—it's the temple of the Holy Spirit. This transforms how we view self-control. It's not about legalistic rules but about stewardship of something sacred. Sexual immorality, gluttony, substance abuse—these aren't just "bad habits"; they're violations of God's dwelling place. Yet Paul's words aren't condemnation but invitation: you belong to Someone who loves you enough to die for you. Lou Gehrig disciplined his body relentlessly, achieving athletic immortality. How much more should we discipline ourselves for eternal purposes? Not everything permissible is beneficial. Not everything allowable leads to freedom. True liberty comes through loving boundaries, not boundless indulgence.
Reflection: How does viewing your body as God's temple change your approach to self-control?
Day 5: Mastering What Once Mastered You
Reading: Galatians 5:16-25
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Devotional: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control—but here's the irony: the Spirit produces self-control by teaching us to control ourselves. God doesn't magically remove temptation; He strengthens us to resist it. Like Lou Gehrig ripping padding from his seat because "padding makes you soft," spiritual growth requires embracing discomfort. When you say "no" to your flesh, you're building spiritual muscle memory. Each small victory trains you for larger ones. The manager warned Gehrig that alcohol "only ends one way"—and Gehrig never touched it again. He saw the destination and chose a different path. What destructive pattern can you see clearly today? Where does your current trajectory lead? In Christ, you can master what once mastered you. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Reflection: What one appetite will you bring to Jesus' feet today, beginning your journey toward self-control?
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