The Fruit of Restraint

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. — 1 Samuel 3:13

Restraint (i.e., exercising restraint) is an interesting and telling element. Those that walk in love are either clear on when and where to restrain. Those that do not always fall short. Such was the case of Eli who, knowing the corruption of his sons, failed to restrain them before the Lord, allowing them to continue to operate in their office despite their fornications, their oppression, and their thievery. In so doing, Eli dishonored God. Fast forward to the New Testament and we see the disciples in Acts 14 restraining the people from offering inordinate sacrifices. Can you see the difference in character between the two examples? NOTE: Eli said something to his sons, but failed to restrain them. Likewise, many feel they’ve done something because of engaging in an act that’s equivalent to a “slap on the wrist.” Please keep in mind that a “slap on the wrist” is not the same as exercising restraint. Today’s operative question: Do you walk in restraint? Do you restrain or exhort people to restrain when it is in your power to do so? Do you restrain yourself when your flesh rises up? Do you submit to God and resist (i.e., restrain) the enemy’s operation in your life? Again, restraint in a telling thing. What does it say about you?