Digging Deeper Devotional Week of June 10th
June 10, 2024 / First Baptist Church ElginDigging Deeper Devotional Week of June 10th
Day 1:
Daniel demonstrates self-control by refusing to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
Read: Daniel 1:1-21 (Focus on verses 8-16)
Background:
In the book of Daniel, the young Hebrew men, including Daniel, are taken captive to Babylon. The king orders that they be trained and fed from his table. However, Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king’s food and wine, demonstrating self-control and dedication to God’s laws. His commitment leads to God’s favor, and Daniel and his friends appear healthier than those who ate the royal food.
Key Words:
1. Defile (H1351): “to pollute, stain, desecrate.”
2. Resolve (H7760): “to set, establish, fix.”
Theological Truths:
1. Matthew Henry comments on Daniel 1:8, highlighting Daniel’s self-control: “Daniel’s refusal was founded upon the religious principle; he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat.”
2. John Calvin reflects on Daniel 1:8, emphasizing the importance of self-control: “Daniel refrained from the delicacies of the palace, thus showing his purity and self-control.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. How does Daniel’s resolve to remain undefiled demonstrate self-control?
2. What can we learn from Daniel’s example about maintaining self-control in the face of temptation?
3. How can you apply Daniel’s example of self-control in your own life?
Application:
Identify an area where you face temptation, and make a commitment to exercise self-control, relying on God for strength and guidance.
Day 2:
Joseph exemplifies self-control when he refuses Potiphar’s wife.
Read: Genesis 39:1-23 (Focus on verses 6-12)
Background:
Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, finds himself serving in Potiphar’s house in Egypt. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tries to seduce him, but Joseph consistently refuses, citing his loyalty to God and Potiphar. His self-control and integrity ultimately lead to his imprisonment, but also set the stage for his rise to power in Egypt.
Key Words:
1. Refuse (H3985): “to reject, decline, say no.”
2. Tempt (H6621): “to test, entice.”
Theological Truths:
1. Charles Spurgeon reflects on Genesis 39:9, emphasizing Joseph’s self-control: “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? This was his fixed resolve.”
2. Albert Barnes comments on Genesis 39:10, highlighting Joseph’s consistent refusal: “Joseph’s virtue was tried, and yet he kept his integrity.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. How does Joseph’s refusal of Potiphar’s wife illustrate self-control?
2. What can we learn from Joseph about maintaining integrity and self-control under pressure?
3. In what areas of your life do you need to demonstrate greater self-control?
Application:
Reflect on a situation where you are tempted to compromise your integrity, and ask God for the strength to exercise self-control and make the right choice.
Day 3:
Jesus models self-control during His temptation in the wilderness.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11
Background:
After His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where He fasts for forty days and nights. Satan then tempts Him, but Jesus exercises perfect self-control, resisting each temptation by quoting Scripture. His responses reflect His unwavering commitment to God’s will and His mastery over physical desires and spiritual challenges.
Key Words:
1. Tempted (G3985): “to test, try, prove.”
2. Fast (G3522): “to abstain from food.”
Theological Truths:
1. John MacArthur comments on Matthew 4:1, emphasizing Jesus’ self-control: “Jesus demonstrates the importance of Scripture in overcoming temptation.”
2. D.A. Carson reflects on Matthew 4:4, highlighting the significance of Jesus’ response: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. How does Jesus’ response to temptation in the wilderness demonstrate self-control?
2. What can we learn from Jesus about using Scripture to combat temptation?
3. How can you incorporate Scripture into your life to help you exercise self-control?
Application:
Memorize a Scripture verse that speaks to an area where you struggle with self-control, and meditate on it whenever you face temptation.
Day 4:
As recipients of God’s grace, we are called to exercise self-control.
Read: Titus 2:11-14
Background:
In his letter to Titus, Paul explains that the grace of God teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. This passage highlights the transformative power of God’s grace, which enables believers to live disciplined lives in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Key Words:
1. Self-controlled (G4998): “of a sound mind, sober, temperate.”
2. Upright (G1346): “righteous, just, virtuous.”
Theological Truths:
1. John Stott comments on Titus 2:12, emphasizing the role of grace in self-control: “Grace teaches us to renounce irreligion and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.”
2. William Barclay reflects on Titus 2:12, highlighting the transformative power of grace: “Grace disciplines us to live sensible, righteous, and godly lives.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. How does God’s grace teach us to live self-controlled lives?
2. What does it mean to live a self-controlled, upright, and godly life in today’s world?
3. How can you rely on God’s grace to help you exercise self-control?
Application:
Identify a specific habit or behavior that you need to change, and ask for God’s grace to help you practice self-control in that area.
Day 5:
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and is essential for living a godly life.
Read: Galatians 5:16-26 (Focus on verses 22-23)
Background:
In Galatians 5, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control. He encourages believers to live by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. This passage emphasizes the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to produce self-control in our lives, resulting in a Christ-like character.
Key Words:
1. Self-control (G1466): “temperance, mastery over desires and actions.”
2. Flesh (G4561): “human nature, with its frailties and passions.”
Theological Truths:
1. John Stott reflects on Galatians 5:22-23, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is the natural product of the Spirit’s presence and activity within a believer.”
2. F.F. Bruce comments on Galatians 5:23, highlighting the importance of self-control: “Self-control denotes self-mastery, and points to a quality of life brought under the Spirit’s control.”
Questions for Reflection:
1. How does living by the Spirit enable us to exercise self-control?
2. What are the benefits of developing the fruit of self-control in your life?
3. How can you cultivate self-control as part of your spiritual growth?
Application:
Choose one area where you need to exercise self-control, and develop a plan to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to make positive changes in that area.