"Sticky" Fingers

Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

My husband was amazed the first time that he visited our small town and saw a dog roaming the streets. Immediately, he thought that we needed to help the dog find its owner. Then he realized NO one in our neighborhood had fences. This was very different from his suburban neighborhood.

Living in a small town was like having one BIG backyard. My brother and I would often sneak into our neighbors' yards to help ourselves to their delicious Japanese plums or Satsumas. With no fences, their trees were vulnerable to our "sticky" fingers (thankfully, they didn't mind).

I DO mind though when someone tries to sneak into my life and rob me of my fruit. The fruit I am referring to is the Fruit of the Spirit!

Maybe after studying the first eight Fruits of the Spirit in Galations--love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness--you are thinking, "How can I live like this EVERY day?" Well, it takes SELF-DISCIPLINE, the ninth and final fruit.

Today's verse shares that a person who lacks self-control is "like a city whose walls are broken through." Depending on how "vulnerable" we have allowed ourselves to become in specific areas of our lives, the enemy will try to rob us of our life-bearing fruit.

In John 10:10, Jesus reveals that "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Satan's purpose is to rob your life of love, joy, peace, and all of the wonderful fruit God has so freely given you. He does this through temptation.

However, according to 1 John 4:4, "the One who is in you is GREATER than the One who is in the world." When Satan tempted Jesus on the mountain, Jesus kept responding with the Word of God. Sin WILL lose its power in your life the more you pursue a relationship with God. Self-discipline starts with giving more of your SELF to God.

I challenge you today to protect the wonderful gifts that the Lord has given you. Do this by building walls of protection in your life through prayer, reading His Word, and communing with other believers. Just be sure to leave a gate to share God's wonderful fruit with your neighbors and friends.

Dear Lord, I thank You that You have given me the gifts I need to live an overcoming life. In every situation, I am victorious through You.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.