1 Timothy 4: 7 and 8 have nothing to do with Godless myths and old wives tales rather train yourself to be Godly for physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things holding promise for both the present life and the life to come sign number one self-control there is a false belief amongst Christians that self-control equates to selfreliance this misinterpretation stands in stark contrast with the true essence of self-control as explained in the Holy Bible we often hear stories of individuals overcoming personal challenges like a former alcoholic who has managed to
escape the grip of addiction or drug addicts overcoming the their addiction or people who were addicted to watching Unholy videos on the internet overcome their addiction while these Feats are commendable they represent isolated instances of overcoming specific weaknesses it's essential to understand that nobody can fully conquer all their weaknesses through sheer willpower and self-dependence attempting to wrestle these hurdles without faith in our savior Jesus Christ and Reliance on the Holy Spirit often tends to be not only self-serving and anthropocentric but ultimately futile anthropocentric is just a fancy way of saying regarding humankind as the central
or most important element of existence especially as opposed to God this approach effectively communicates I don't need God it is a self- savior attitude it is a self-seeking attitude such an attitude neither brings honor to our Almighty nor leads us to the victory we yearn for let us now turn our attention to the true meaning of self-control as per biblical understanding the self-control spoken of in scripture isn't about relying on one's strength but about leaning on God's power wisdom and love in the Bible self-control is seen as a manifestation of the holy spirit's influence it
is an unmistakable sign of his indwelling presence and Power in a believer's life for a deeper understanding let us look at Galatians 5: 22 and 23 but the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace forbearance kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control Believers filled with the Holy Spirit are enabled by God's grace to think and act with restraint and wisdom this capacity to exert self-control powered by the spirit illuminates our path to becoming more Christlike in our thoughts in our words and deeds our ability to express self-control in various life situations is a testament to
our relationship with God it's a sign that we are yielding to the holy spirit's guidance and allowing him to mold our character according to his will a Godly person grows in self-control in this light it is clear that godliness and self-control are inseparably linked the more we yield to the spirit the more self-controlled we become and the more Godly Our Lives reflect it's important to remember that this self-control isn't about mere suppression of Desire desires but about freedom freedom from the tyranny of sinful inclinations freedom to choose righteousness freedom to live as God intended as
Christians it's crucial to recognize that we Encompass two versions the person we used to be and the person we're evolving into often referred to as the old and new selves this is the reason the Bible instructs us us to shed our old selves and embrace the new one being born again doesn't mean that the old self disappears completely from our lives we must remember that we inhabit human bodies that can't be completely redeemed and often craved worldly pleasures this is precisely why the holy spirit's fruit of self-control holds immense significance if you find yourself gradually
becoming more self-controlled and disciplined that's a positive indicator that you're on a Godly path it's essential to remember that this doesn't mean you'll be Flawless all the time however you'll continually make progress in your life practicing self-control regarding anger Temptation lust food or other aspects of life becomes increasingly vital in our spiritual journey sign number two kindness kindness is another fruit of the spirit but how can we best define kindness at its core kindness embodies caring being tender-hearted and demonstrating compassion the Greek term for kind is testos translating to useful this implies that kindness necessitates
action it's not a passive attribute people who are genuinely kind are pro active in seeking out opportunities to demonstrate this virtue significantly kindness serves as a clear marker of godliness people shouldn't feel apprehensive or avoid your company because your demeanor is as intimidating as a rattlesnake it genuinely perplexes me when I encounter Christians who project hostility and Perpetual anger that is not an embodiment of godliness a Godly indiv visual doesn't exhibit a mean cold-hearted and ruthless attitude towards others the primary recipient of your kindness should be your family they shouldn't feel as though they're tiptoeing
around a ticking Time Bomb when they're around you kindness as an attribute of the Holy Spirit should be intrinsic to your interactions with your Lov ones examining the life of Jesus Christ we see a model of kindness that was revolutionary in his time and even our time his benevolence often extended to those marginalized and Ill treated by Society including the sick the poor and societal Outcast he healed them prayed for them and nourished them his kindness was so profound that even in his crucifixion when he was beaten tormented humiliated and mocked he prayed for those
who had caused him harm asking his father to forgive them for they know not what they did this demonstrates the epitome of kindness kindness doesn't just stop at our actions it involves our words our expressions and even our thoughts every single interaction provides an opportunity for kindness to be shown we can offer a word of encouragement to a disheartened friend lend a listening ear to someone in need or simply give a warm smile to a stranger on the street every small act of kindness contributes to making the world a more loving Place being kind also
means being forgiving and patient it's easy to be kind to someone who treats us well but the real challenge lies in showing kindness to those who may not necessarily be kind to us but that is the sort of kindness Jesus demonstrated and as his followers that's a significant indication of godliness kindness in its purest form is the Hallmark of a Godly person and cultivating this trait in ourselves can significantly transform our lives and the lives of those We Touch thus by being kind we are not just showing a fruit of the Holy Spirit we are
living out our godliness in the most tangible way sign number three Joy a Godly person lives with the joy of the Lord and not the happiness of this world the word Joy Graces the pages of the Holy Bible nearly 200 times underscoring its vital significance in our spiritual journey this frequent mention is no accident it is an intentional reminder of the second sweet fruit of the spirit Joy as described in the scriptures is more than a fleeting emotion it is the Deep seated condition of the heart unlike happiness which is often contingent on external circumstances
Joy is a steadfast state that endures regardless of the es and flows of life's trials and triumphs it is rooted in the heart watered by the spirit and blossoms in the life of a Believer a Godly person therefore for is characteristically joyful this isn't to suggest they will never face sorrow or difficulties however amidst these challenges their heart will retain the underlying Joy born from their faith in Jesus Christ knowing that they are in God's Loving Care This Joy is not merely for personal consumption but serves as a Beacon of Hope and positivity for those
around us a joyful Christian radiates an infectious energy that can uplift the spirits of others pointing them to the love peace and hope found in Christ as we look at Jesus our ultimate role model we observe a life marked by Joy despite the hardships he faced his heart remained focused on the joy set before him the joy of fulfilling God's Plan of Salvation for all of humanity as stated in Hebrews 12:2 for the joy set before him he endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God
in the same vein we are called to nurture a heart of Joy this is not a passive process it requires us to actively cultivate a relationship with God immersing ourselves in his word spending time in prayer and participating in fellowship with other believers as we deepen our faith and understanding of God's love the fruit of Joy will naturally grow within us additionally we are to express our joy through praise and worship the Psalms in particular are full of exhortations to rejoice and be glad in the Lord Psalm 3211 advises rejoice in the Lord and be
glad you righteous sing all you who are upright in heart if you see these three signs you are on a Godly path
