2.4 Love Others
2.4 internal vs. external motivation
- Jesus exhibited self control
- One of the Fruits of the Spirit is self-control (Galatians)
- My Lord, my master
- Walking in the Spirit vs. walking in the flesh
- Where sin abounds, there, grace much more abounds. (Romans)
Behavior is the result of internal or external stimulus. If your behavioral choices are based on feelings, then that will be the result of externally driven choices. Internal motivation choices will be based on commitments you have made.
- My feelings and emotions do not control my behavior.
- My feelings and emotions are not in control of my behavior, I am.
I am in control of my behavior by my thoughts alone. Feelings and emotions do not guide my behavior unless I choose to employ my feelings and emotions to do so.
I choose to behave in cognitive thought, because I choose to.
Because I can.
If my feelings and emotions are in charge over my behavior and choices, then others and externals can in effect control me. (I would feel out of control.) But if my choices and behavior are not guided, directed or controlled by emotions over feelings, then choices and behavior are directed internally.
Being in touch with feelings and emotions, yet choosing to be internally directed in behavior and choices is very freeing.
No feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all.
Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last, but feelings come and go.
Surrender to all desires leads to:
- Impotence
- Disease
- Jealousies
- Lies
- Concealment
For any happiness, in this life, a lot of restraint is going to be necessary.
- Reject some desires and permit others.
- After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up and try again.
- Habits of the soul.
- “The Diabolical Self is the Worst” - C.S. Lewis
or...
Test your knowledge, answer the questions below. Use the comments box to check for understanding...
2.41. Why is restraint necessary in life? 2. What will happen to you if you have no restraint? 3. What is "do what feels good" teaching the masses? 4. What does internal and external motivation have to do with the Spirit Filled Christian life? 5. Why does Paul say, "I do what I should not do."? 6. What abounds more than sin, according to Romans? |
|