Head Battle

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Romans 7:18-19 (NKJV) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

What it is speaking to me:

Paul had the same battle in his own head that I have.

You know the thing. You decide you are not going to say that thing to your spouse, your kids, your co-worker, or the guy on the internet who is obviously wrong. Then the moment comes, you get irritated, and there it is. You say it.

Or you decide you are going to stop worrying about a problem. You pray about it. You even tell God you trust Him with it. Then you lay down at night, and your brain starts opening every possible tab: What if this happens? What if that goes wrong? What am I going to do then?

Maybe it is your temper. Maybe it is what you eat. Maybe it is spending money. Maybe it is gossip. Maybe it is procrastination. Or one of the many other things I am putting off...

We need self-control.Sometimes we think self-control means we just need to "want it more". We just need to grit our teeth, make a plan, and power through. But I don't think that is always the case.

Plans do help. Boundaries help. Turning off the phone can help. Not going to the place that always creates the problem certainly helps. But if the only thing we really have is our own willpower, we are going to run out of it eventually.

The answer is not simply “try harder.” It is the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control. It is something the Spirit grows in us as we cooperate with Him. We still have to obey. We still have to say no. We still have to take the hard step. But we are never doing any of those things alone.

So when the battle starts in your head, do not just make another private promise to yourself. Ask for help. Out loud. Specifically.

Our Helper is right there.

What is it saying to you?

What is the specific thing you keep doing even though you know you should not?

What is the good thing you keep putting off even though you know God has called you to do it?

When you struggle with self-control, do you mostly depend on your own willpower, or do you actually ask the Holy Spirit for help?

What are we going to do about it?

Name the specific thing you are struggling to control right now.

Then say this out loud: “Holy Spirit, help me control my ________ today.”