Samson said to his father, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well."
Failure to exercise self-discipline can ruin a person. A girl I know may die young if she doesn’t control her eating habits. And I’m acquainted with a young man who is destroying himself because he never learned self-discipline. He grew up in a wealthy family, but he is on the brink of financial disaster because of his drinking and gambling.
Lack of self-discipline caused Samson to make mistakes that led to his capture by the Philistines, who put out his eyes and enslaved him. His downfall began when he wanted to marry a heathen woman. His demand, "Get her for me, for she pleases me well," set the pattern of self-indulgence that ruined him.
Without self-control, we can squander great talents and waste wonderful opportunities. Our appetites for food, our sexual desires, our enjoyment of recreation, and our drive to succeed can become all-consuming if we fail to hold them in check. People who excel in their sport do so because they eat properly, exercise, and practice regularly. Likewise, people who consistently walk with God discipline themselves to read the Bible, pray, and obey Him.
Self-indulgence guarantees failure; self-discipline assures victory.
A healthy body, healthy mind should be the Christian’s goal; but it is more important still to discipline the soul.
DISCIPLINE YOURSELF SO OTHERS WON’T HAVE TO.