The Value of Delayed Gratification Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: The Value of Delayed Gratification Keywords: "delayed gratification" "patience" "prophets" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. eXXit advertises itself as a Web site designed to help you "stand strong in the face of sexual temptation." In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists nine "fruit of the Spirit," fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Each of these fruits — if produced — will greatly aid a believer who seeks to "stand strong." At eXXit, we believe that: • The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the life of a healthy Christian, just as apples appear on a healthy apple tree. • If there is any love or joy or peace in a Christian, it is ultimately the work of God. • Christians can cooperate with the Spirit's desire to produce His fruit in their lives by yieldedness, faith, obedience and involvement in ministry. We hope you enjoy and benefit from this meditation on Galatians 5! Send us any feedback. We'd love to know what you think. Passage: James 5:10* As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Questions 1. The prophets of the Old Testament frequently endured suffering of various kinds. What did they do that caused them to face suffering (look at the end of the verse above)?   2. James says that the prophets of the Old Testament are examples of patience. His point is that they showed patience by willingly saying or doing the hard thing, knowing that their reward would come later from God. Can you remember a time when you did the right, but hard, thing now rather than the wrong, but easy, thing, and experienced a blessing from it?   3. What thoughts come to mind when you read the term "delayed gratification"?   Practical help The example of the prophets is instructive. They spoke the word of God and made trouble for themselves by doing so. They walked right into suffering for the Lord — on purpose. Faithfulness and obedience to God cost. They cost the prophets comfort and safety. But, they endured their hardships by means of patience (see the verse). That means that they willingly put up with the bad stuff, knowing that good would come of it. Suffering for God, for them, was not just asceticism. It was "delayed gratification." The thinking was, "I’ll suffer for faithfulness now. I’ll be rewarded for faithfulness later." People who struggle with pornography need prophet-like patience. To honor God with their bodies (see 1 Corinthians 6:20) requires choosing the hard road of saying no to indulging lusts with erotic images. But, a willingness to do the difficult thing now (don’t click on that Web site!) winds up being the path to great blessing in the long run. Patience carries its own reward. Delaying gratification is really the only smart way to live. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999, 2003 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission." ---