Colossians 3:17. Many of us seek self-control, but Jesus is the only true way to self-control. He is the only human that has walked on this Earth and was perfect. He had perfect self-control. He had no sin in Him. He was perfect and had no sin in Him because besides being human He was God walking on this Earth. He came here to save us from our sin and from being out of the will of God. If we accept His free gift of salvation, we will be saved and can be perfect as He is perfect. He has given us the power and the living example of how to be perfect in this sinful world.

Luke 18:13. In the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, the publican cried out to God saying, “have mercy on me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). The publican had true knowledge of God. He knew that he had fallen short of God's glory and that he was a sinner (this is the same situation for all of mankind – none of us are perfect by ourselves). The publican also knew that the only way he could get right with God was for God to have mercy on him.

John 13:14. Even Jesus’ simplest acts were life-changing. The washing of feet is an example of good works that displayed God’s love for us (John 13:14, “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet”). By this simple act, Jesus corrected His disciples thinking about personal relationships.

JOHN 13 BIBLE SCRIPTURE John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet”

2 Chronicles 7:14. Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, prayer is the primary way for us to maintain the mind of Christ. Prayer is a demonstration of our faith in God and is the main way for us to conduct spiritual warfare. In order to conduct spiritual warfare we place our focus on God and not His enemies.

John 3:38. Keeping our body as a Holy temple is a joyous experience. Just as the friend of the bridegroom is joyous for the bridegroom, we are joyous in keeping our body holy for Jesus' sake. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease.")

BIBLE SCRIPTURE: John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

1 Corinthians 13:5. Another key difference between love and lust is that love is completely unselfish. Love has compassion for the object of its affection. Christian love is "agape" love, a love that offers unmerited favor. Its affection does not expect anything in return. Love's objects include God and other people. Love is a giver that helps a brother in need with no expectation of getting anything in return. Love is just the opposite of lust.

Philippians 2:3. Many people seek competitive relationships where they challenge each other to do better. This can be a good thing for a good purpose. The problem is when a competitive relationship does not have a good and common purpose. This causes strife, and strife causes a bad relationship. Many times strife starts off with a simple pat or tease, but then turns into a slap or insult. Here the relationship is more driven by each other’s personal egos and selfishness versus a relationship with a good and common purpose.