No matter how bad you have to use the bathroom…
How strong the urge to relieve yourself…
If you’re in a crowd of people outside, in a meeting, at a ball game, or in church YOU WON’T stop and use it right then and there.
Why?
Because you have RESTRAINT.
No matter HOW strong the urge, how painful, you would rather hold it in rather than disgrace and embarrass yourself.
Too many times we in the Body of Christ use the excuse, “I just couldn’t help myself!”
Too many Christians are perfectly content using profanity…retaliating…and giving in to their flesh, and quickly use the excuse, “I just couldn’t hold it in”!
Peter is well known for his lack of restraint. On the Mount of Transfiguration he quickly blurted out, “Let us build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah!(Matthew 17:4).
After Jesus was arrested, when accused of knowing Him, Peter cursed (Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:71). But, Jesus knew of Peter’s spontaneity, and had already prayed for him and told him that when he is converted to strengthen his brothers (Luke 22:32). One of the things Peter was going to have to do was learn RESTRAINT.
One of the fruit of the Spirit is TEMPERANCE or SELF-CONTROL (Galatians 5:22).
It’s true we can’t do anything without the help of God, but he has given us the power to restrain our flesh as well.
You don’t have to use profanity (cuss).
You don’t have to get even.
You don’t have to let everybody know EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL.
Just the same as you can HOLD BACK when you have to use the bathroom (flesh), you can hold back when that person of the opposite sex is trying to tempt you.
Let’s be just like our heavenly Father. Because when you think about it, that’s what MERCY is…God holding back the wrath and judgment we deserve.
BE BLESSTIFIED!
BE BLESSTIFIED! 
We have Christ in us, I stop and think would Christ do this ??
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That’s a good practice my friend:-) It makes the choice much easier.
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Not always work but if we are super serious, then it is a no brainer !!
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Thats right:-)
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Yep !!
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🙂
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I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this post when I started reading it, but wow! Excellent! One of the best! I am not likely to forget this terrific metaphor.
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Lol! Thank you. I first wrote this about a year and a half ago and decided to repost. I’m so thankful it BLESSTIFIED you:-)
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Great post . I like the example of holding back you used.😃
Not going to forget it in a hurry 😀
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😀😀😀
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Yes, it’s a striking metaphor! 😃
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😀😀😀
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