The Discipleship Of Shame: Philippians 1:20-21 (Self Control)

Read Galatians 5:22-23:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Are you ready to make an investment in the Fruit of Self Control?

Has following Jesus placed you in any circumstance that has caused you to experience shame?

If so, describe the circumstance and how it makes you feel. Be specific.

Read Philippians 1:20-21:

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Go to 'DOCUMENTS' and read Oswald Chambers' comments on these verses.

Select 'Successful' when you are finished.

Oswald states:

"We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him. It’s as if Paul were saying, “My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest— my best for His glory.”

How is the shame of choosing to not do what Jesus is asking of you different from the shame you described in Step 2?

Regarding choosing to obey Jesus even in the face of adversity and shame, Oswald writes:

"To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point."

What is Jesus asking you to do that you have not absolutely and irrevocably surrendered yourself to doing? Be specific.

Oswald continues:

"An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn’t know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point— He does know."

How much does this description apply to you?

Oswald states:

“Whether it means life or death-it makes no difference!”. Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted."

How often do you find yourself desiring this kind intimacy with your Lord and Savior?

Oswald continues:

"But before we choose to follow God’s will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God’s gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate."

How much do you believe that what Oswald is describing here is being played out in the circumstances you described in Step 2?

Oswald concludes:

"That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably."

Regarding your reluctance to surrender your will to Jesus, is there anything you would like to repent of?

If so, you can do so privately, or in the space provided.

Take a moment to get quiet and allow yourself to be with Jesus right now.

Ask Him to instruct you in how to you can, like Paul, turn your shame into a gift of love and joy for Him.

If you like, you can write down anything you receive in the space provided.

How much has this Trail increased the level of Self Control in your current dispostion?