“What can I get away with and still be a faithful believer?”

According to pastor Skip Heitzig, many Christians ask the wrong questions in regards to self-control – including this one. When our focus is on the invisible line between sin and holiness, we’re are stunting our spiritual growth. When we focus on the bigness and majesty of God instead of “that one thing” we want to do, it sets us free from temptation and increases our joy.

Skip suggests alternative questions that every Christian should be asking on a daily basis.

“How can I maximize my time and live for the utmost glory of God? What can I do that would please Him in this situation?

It may seem like an obvious question, but that doesn’t lessen the impact. In his book , Skip shares the story of the Old Testament character Daniel, who lived a life of integrity instead of seeking to please himself. Daniel’s devotion to God’s glory led him to the lion’s den – but it also brought him before kings. We can follow his example today by choosing God’s will over our own. If we allow selfishness and compromise to drive our decision-making, the result will actually be self-contempt.

“The more you please yourself, the less you’re pleased with what you do.”

Daniel focused on connecting with God instead of appeasing the people around him, and he led a spiritually rich life. As Christians, we should steer clear of compromise and head in the other direction, toward the Lord. Seeking to please ourselves doesn’t lead to happiness, and we miss out on experiencing the pleasure of God. It’s a call for gratitude – we’re able to spend time doing the activities that give us spiritual, God-breathed meaning and satisfaction in this life!

“When we maximize that, everything will fall into place like dominoes.”

Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:26-28; Daniel; Romans 12:1-2

Featured Songs: I Will Follow You by Chris Tomlin; We Fall Down by Steven Curtis Chapman;  Here I Am by Jeremy Camp

Highlight : A new perspective on self-control

Life beyond the status quo