“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”

This is not the best verse for me to read as I sit here eating my second piece of ice dream cake. One of the reasons I have a lot of grace for people struggling with addiction is that I understand this verse. I live it. Thankfully, my battle is with things like ice cream and Peanut M&Ms.

Sin works the same way. Jesus’ half-brother James tells us that our lack of self-control is seen when we allow temptation to grow into desire, which then turns into the birth of sin. The process is won or lost in our wrestling with self-control. Paul tells us that the victory over the process that leads to sin begins when we first feel that slight twinge of desire. We will seldom defeat sin once we turn down the road and head rapidly toward it. The battle is won before we make that turn.

It is also vital to set boundaries in our lives to avoid the things that start us down the road toward sin. Accountability partners who have permission to ask the hard questions are also powerful allies in defeating sin and strengthening our self-control.

Today, stand strong. #BeTheEdge

“Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:15 NIV