“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Titus 2:11-12

Growing up many people were taught  to live undisciplined and with little self-control. They ate what they wanted, or watched and listened to whatever they wanted. Then, as they got older they spent whatever they wanted and continued to live undisciplined lives. This type of living can be fun at the moment, but it always leads us to a place we don't want to go. Even small areas lacking discipline can become big problems over time. The gradual weight gain, the gradual slide into financial debt, the gradual drift towards a poor work ethic, and a gradual increase of dependency on drugs and alcohol. Most of these things don't happen overnight; they happen over many years with thousands of tiny decisions.

The good news is that if you can learn to have a lack of discipline and self-control, and gradually feel the effects of that, you can also learn to have discipline and self-control. It may take awhile, but when we begin to make good decisions we gradually see our life heading in the right direction. For example, extra weight comes off, health gets better, debt gets whittled down and savings begins to grow. God's word teaches self-control. It teaches us to say "no" to worldly passions and pleasures and instead live lives that are God-honoring and ultimately far more fulfilling.

Click below to listen to a playlist by Elevation Worship. We pray that this playlist encourages you throughout your week as you worship God and reflect on the lyrics.