Opening Verse
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
— Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
Introduction
Sometimes we react before we think. We say things we don’t mean. We snap, get offended, or pull back in silence. These patterns don’t just happen once—they become habits if we’re not careful. But Scripture calls us to something better: self-awareness that leads to Spirit-control.
Devotional Story
A man was driving home after a long day at work. Traffic was heavy, and someone cut him off. Instantly, he laid on the horn and shouted in frustration. His children, quiet in the backseat, looked on. He didn’t realize how often this happened—until one evening, his young daughter mimicked his reaction during a game.
That was the wake-up call.
He didn’t need a sermon. He saw it—clear as day—how his pattern of reactivity was not just hurting his witness, but shaping his children. He went to his room, dropped to his knees, and repented. He asked the Lord, not just for forgiveness, but for a new spirit. A spirit that reflects Christ, not the flesh.
What This Means
If we don’t slow down and reflect, we’ll keep living in cycles of reaction. God wants us to respond in wisdom, not react in emotion. Self-awareness is not self-help—it’s a grace of God that helps us examine ourselves in the light of the Holy Spirit.
When we stay in God’s Word and prayer, He shows us the truth about ourselves—not to shame us, but to change us.
Think About This
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Do you notice when you’re quick to anger, fear, or control?
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Are your reactions bearing the fruit of the Spirit—or the works of the flesh?
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Have you ever paused to ask God, “Why am I like this?” He will show you—if you ask Him with a humble heart.
Prayer
Lord, I need You to rule over my spirit. I confess that I’ve allowed old patterns to lead me instead of Your Spirit. Help me see myself clearly and surrender my reactions to You. Teach me how to pause, reflect, and walk in the peace of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Verse
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10 (KJV)