Self Control - A Fruit of the Spirit

We are living in a time where no one wants to be told ‘no’, and ‘if it feels good, do it’, or as Frank Sinatra so famously put it, ‘I did it my way’.

In order to exhibit self control, we must first define what it is:  The ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

Often we see the picture of a person with a devil on one shoulder, and an angel on the other.  While the visual may make you chuckle, the concept is very real.  So, ask yourself this question, “Who will I listen to?”

1Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Wilhelm Hofmann and a team of researchers conducted an online survey of 414 adults, in which they rated their self-control through a series of questions. The results of the survey showed that the more self-control people reported having, the more satisfied they reported being with their lives.

So, how do we exercise self control?  Daily!  Luke 9: 23-25 says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”

In what areas do we need to exercise self control?

-          Speech / Thoughts

      -          Emotions / Behavior

-          Health

-          Interaction with others

-          Unhealthy/unholy desires

-          Finances

-          (You fill in the blank)

The more we desire God’s will, the easier it is to choose it.