DAILY HOMILIES #self-discipline

Those who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub did so because they felt Jesus had no power. Some Christians are quick to ascribe misfortunes to the devil but find it difficult to praise God when good things happen. Jesus described the devil as a strong man but made it clear that He is stronger: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoil.” (Luke 11:21-22). If you are more scared of the devil than God, your heart is hardened.

Since our temptations come from our insatiable desires, the best way to weaken their power over us is to create new desires. After fasting for forty days, Jesus was hungry, so hungry that he felt like misusing His divine powers. Jesus resisted because His desire for our salvation outweighed His desire for food. How deep is your desire for sainthood? Whatever you hope to achieve, you must desire it passionately. You cannot fight sin unless you truly hate the object of that sin. For instance, we lie to ourselves, saying, “I will stop doing this” Meanwhile, whenever we see it, we secretly crave it.

Those who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub did so because they felt Jesus had no power. Some Christians are quick to ascribe misfortunes to the devil but find it difficult to praise God when good things happen. Jesus described the devil as a strong man but made it clear that He is stronger

Avoid indulging the flesh with its cravings all the time. The Letter to the Hebrews says: “Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. 4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” (Hebrews 12:3-4). Even Jesus was hostile to himself. Do not be that international footballer who always plays the ball off-course when he has a chance of scoring. Even if avoiding sin requires shedding your blood, it is better to crucify the flesh and its desires than to lose consciousness of sin.

Those who accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub believed in Beelzebub’s power. Some Christians are quick to ascribe misfortunes to the devil’s power but find it very hard to believe that God is capable of protecting them or granting their prayers.

Don’t be carried away by power, congratulatory messages, or excessive workload in your new office; dedicate the first day (or days) to prayer. Jesus applied this principle at the start of his ministry; he spent forty days praying and fasting alone in a desert.

ust as a single candle is never intimated by the darkness of an entire room, “No gree for anybody” means that we must never be intimated into sinning (even if this entails suffering). Some Christians are so timid of proclaiming their faith in public. Who says we have to blend in with the culture of immorality?

Food is good but not every food is good for you. No matter how hungry you are, ensure that what you are about to eat will not lead to your destruction. Learn to exercise self-discipline and caution. If you want to live a good life, start by selecting your thoughts just as you would select your food. As there are poisonous foods, so there are poisonous thoughts.

If you lack self-control, it is not because you are powerless but because you have decided to divert your power to the wrong things. Every human being is powerful. God would not give us any commandments if He knew we are completely powerless against our bodily passions.