A Lack of Self-Control Can Ruin Us

Note from today’s Bible reading: Genesis 48-50

During the time of the Patriarchs, the firstborn son was in a privileged position. He was in line to receive the greater share of the inheritance and assume the position over the family once the father passed away.

Reuben was Jacob’s firstborn. Yet as his father addressed his sons at the end of his life, he explained that Reuben would be passed over for the blessing that originally was his to receive. Jacob said, “Reuben, you are my firstborn; my might and the beginning of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch” (Genesis 49:3-4).

This referred to Reuben’s sin in committing fornication with Bilhah, his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). Besides being an act of immorality, his lack of self-control here was an insult to his father. This was the reason Jacob gave for not giving the blessing of the firstborn to his oldest son.

Any good position we find ourselves in is a combination of good fortune (as in the case of Reuben) or hard work on our part. But regardless of what it took to attain whatever privileged position we enjoy, we can forfeit it through foolish choices and sinful behavior. Like Reuben, we may not have a chance to redeem ourselves.

So remember that a lack of self-control can ruin us. Rather than doing whatever makes us feel good in the moment, let us make sure we do what is right. Sin will never provide us with as much as we stand to lose.