August 2

Written by Bill Grandi on August 2nd, 2022

Control. It’s a matter of control.

For the past 6 Sundays- (this coming Sunday will be #7)- I have been preaching on 7 Cancers, or as they are commonly called, the Seven Deadly Sins. As I reflect on all of them, they come down to one word:

C. O. N. T. R. O. L.

Who controls me? Or what controls me? Whether talking about anger or jealousy, gluttony or lust, pride or greed, or sloth, it all comes down to control.

That came to my mind this morning as I read Isaiah 31:1- “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” 

That then brought to mind Psalm 20:7- “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” 

That drew me to Ephesians 5:18 where I am told to not allow any outside influence to control me or I could grieve/quench the Holy Spirit’s influence in my life.  The only influence who should have control is the Holy Spirit.

Again, it is a matter of control. Will I allow a substance, a priority, a circumstance, or some outside influence to have control over me?

“Father, may You be who I let control me. May I push away every imposter for the throne of my heart and exalt You and You only as my King.”

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ryan S. says:

    I find it interesting in my own life that if I try to maintain control… I will often fail. I think Satan often plants little whispers of half-truths and blatant lies that make us feel like we are in control, when in fact, we have given the reigns right over to Satan to steer us in the direction he wants, which is ALWAYS away from God. God won’t take the reigns away from us, but He will gladly accept them if we are willing to give them to Him. Life is always so much better when God is providing the direction.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I make a mess of things too Ryan when I try to control my own life and do my own thing. But like you said, it depends on who has the reins-God or my enemy.

  2. We do like to think we are in control when in reality, God is the only one upon whom we should depend, the only one in whose hands our lives abide.
    Blessings, Bill!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      What an ugly thought that is too Martha! Thinking I am in control only to realize, Nope.

  3. gail says:

    Love your pray Bill, perfectly said. Father help us to hear your voice over all the other noise, let us be doers of the word and follow Your lead and not be mislead by the culture or the world around us.