Self-Control

While self-control may come easier to some people than to others, it is not a personality trait. It is learned behavior, forged by exercising the discipline muscle. No matter our personal bent toward unruliness or sloth, we can all grow towards getting our desires under control.

Paul talks about taming his body so that he doesn’t become a slave to it. I can identify with that. I feel like I limit my level of activities at times due to comfort concerns like eating enough or resting. Those are good things, but have they gotten in the way of something God may have wanted me to do? I must be master of my body and not let it master me. It is a gift from Him to be cared for and nurtured, not enslaved by.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Yet this “self” control is aided by yielding control to the Spirit. There are things I cannot do, temptations that seem too strong. But the Spirit gives me strength to control my appetites as I hand them to Him. A Spirit controlled believer exhibits self-discipline because he has submitted the self to Him.

God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled.  2 Timothy 1:7

A self-controlled friend is a trust worthy friend. A secret is safe. A promise is reliable, not at the whim of a circumstance or a better offer. The self-controlled life is good soil for an abundant crop of God’s work. It is focused, surrendered to Him, undivided by competing desires, and free from the chaos of burdens we have created through an unruly life.

Lord, may I endeavor to lead a self-controlled, Spirit filled life so that I may be fruitful in Your work and saturated in my knowledge of You.

 This is why you must make every effort to add moral excellence to your faith; and to moral excellence, knowledge;and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, endurance; and to endurance, godliness; and to godliness, affection for others; and to affection for others, love. If all these are yours and they are growing in you, they’ll keep you from becoming inactive and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8