SELF-CONTROL IN ALL THINGS: THE PROOF OF THE CALLED

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Cor 9:25

There is a war going on. 
It has been waging for eternity past. 

Light against dark. 
Faithful against the rebellious. 
And eternity doesn’t belong to the undisciplined.

This isn’t about motivation. 
This is about vigilance.
Keeping this thought constantly at the forefront of your mind - you are the target of the attack:

“Sin is crouching at your door, it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:7

We are not on a wellness journey.
We are not fine-tuning our lives.
We are either crucifying the flesh or feeding it.
There is no neutral ground.

We must wage war.
Against every excuse we’ve ever made.
And we will either win or be mastered.

A war against the flesh.
A war against comfort.
A war against the quiet, casual drift into complacency that has damned more souls than persecution ever could.

Self-control isn’t about willpower. It’s not about white-knuckling your way to spiritual pride.
It’s about submission—bringing your whole life under the rule of the King.

Grace is not passive. It doesn’t just make you feel holy. It empowers you to live holy. 

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

And here's the line in the sand:
If the Spirit of the Holy One—the Ruach HaKodesh—truly lives in you, there will be fruit.
Not just emotions. Not just church attendance. Fruit.

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

If that fruit isn’t growing, we’re not walking in the Spirit.
We’re walking in something else—and it won’t save us.

The evidence of salvation is not a prayer you prayed once.
It’s a life that bleeds obedience.

Train.
Discipline your mind.
Crush your excuses.
Starve your laziness.
Sharpen your soul.
Obey when no one is watching.
Bleed for holiness when the world offers you comfort.

Because the crown waiting for you is imperishable.
And so is the judgment.