Whatever Happened to Self Discipline

Posted on 07/30/2012 by Butch Dean

Some time back, a popular comedian of the day had a line he would always use, “The devil made me do it.” As funny as this entertainer was, this line was very sad. Perhaps, another way to say it is, “Don’t hold me responsible for what I do. It’s not my fault.” It is always easier to blame someone or something else, rather than self.

Millions of dollars are spent on medications, therapies, plans, gadgets, etc. to lose weight, stop smoking, etc. Whatever vices exist, there is someone waiting to make money on one purposed cure or another. For some individuals, medical and/or therapy intervention is needed. For most, a matter of choice is all that is necessary.

Whatever happened to the ability to choose, to say no, to say “enough?” Easier to say in some situations; much more difficult in others, but possible nevertheless.

Whatever happened to self discipline?

Categories: attitude, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Creative Writing, encouragement, family, friends, inspiration, Life, marriage, Reflections, Religion, Spirituality, thoughts | 11 Comments

11 thoughts on “Whatever Happened to Self Discipline”

08/22/2012

Carl D'Agostino

People have become ego- centric and in need of instant gratification. Everyone is at fault except the irresponsible person

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07/30/2012

pattisj

Sometimes I wonder where mine went. I was an over-achiever for so many years. I guess I’m finally over that!

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07/30/2012

Saint In Training

The more we give into the desires of our flesh, the more our flesh (or carnal nature) takes control.

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07/30/2012

granbee

YES, we each and every one of us have free will, the power of choosing!

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07/30/2012

Wayne Augden

I agree with this 100%

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07/30/2012

emjayandthem

It’s far easier to blame than to really look at the person in the mirror and ask, “What could you have done differently?”

We are all a work in progress. Having said that, I find that the more I bite my lip and try to be patient and grateful, the more opportunities I get to try out those new traits .

MJ

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07/30/2012

Lyn Leahz

Thanks for following me! God bless you and your wife, and have a beautiful, blessed week!

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07/30/2012

Bella Grace

Great day Butch,
Very truthful message. We need to pay attention to the words we say first off. And secondly, learn to take responsibility over our actions and not shift the blame on wherever we picked it up from solely.

Thank you for continuing to share truth!

Be encouraged. Be inspired. be who He created you to be.

Bella

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07/30/2012

Author of Christian Comfort & Conversation

I can relate to this..At some point we must separate the dog poop from our own and stop blaming the dog. Like the saying, ” God helps those who help themselves” (false statement). That is our problem we help ourselves to much, when the dog is not to blame, but should be a constant reminder to DOG (Depend On God) and not self, gadgets, technology, man, clothes, vehicles and a status.

Shenine – A Woman After God’s Own Heart ♥

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07/30/2012

Patricia

Great thoughts to ponder, Butch.

Patricia

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07/30/2012

mixedmotives

Thank God when our own self discipline and will power falls short we can be changed through God’s power, because of His grace. As a person who has lacked in the self discipline dept, I know If not for His Spirit within and grace I would not ever change or make progress in my life with destructive habits. But with Him I can. And do A new day dawned when I realized I could choose to trust and yield to God’s power instead of living defeated with my own will power. Every day is a choice…whose power will I trust in? Now Jesus gets all glory and credit for doing in me what I could never do myself, no matter how hard I tried.

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