Self-Control

Self-Control

Self-control is the control of oneself; to keep in check or under restraint. When we are tempted by something we are able to turn away and not be overtaken by it. We are to take steps, like watching and praying, that will help us overcome temptation and not yield to its control. We have the responsibility to control what we look at, listen to, think about, and say. Many details could be listed of things that we should have control of in our life, but the bottom line is that we are to control ourselves in such a way that we maximize the benefits of the life God gave us to live. We are to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

My Prayer

Father, I pray that you will develop within me the desire and the strength to live as one who is in Christ; to consider myself dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed and to pursue the qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. Lord, help me walk in faith with a walk that is disciplined, having on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation; a walk that is determined with my mind prepared for action, a spirit that is sober and with a hope that is completely focused on the grace that I will receive at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray that I may live my life in such a way that the peace of Christ will rule in my heart and that the word of Christ will richly dwell within me. Lord, the life I live will be a reflection of the choices I make. Through your Spirit help me make the right choices so that my life will reflect you and bring honor and glory to you.

Related Verses

There are many verses we could list here that relate to self-control. Some of these would include 1 Corinthians 10:13 (overcoming temptation), Matthew 26:41 (Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation.), 2 Peter 1:5 – 8 ( The qualities of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Christian love are to be ours and be increasing.), Galatians 5:22 – 23 (The fruit of the Spirit is to be evident in us which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), 1 Timothy 4:7 (We are to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness.), Psalm 19:21 (We are responsible for proper words and thoughts.), and Romans 13:14 (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.).

But the passage that stands out is Colossians 3:1 – 17 where Paul explains the concept of putting on the new person. “Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1 – 3 NET). We are to consider the members of our earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry (verse 5). Paul continues and tells us to put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from our mouth and not to lie to one another (verses 8 – 9). We are to put on the new self with its heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience and are to bear with one another and forgive each other. And beyond all these things we are to put on love, let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts, and let the word of Christ richly dwell within us (from verses 12 – 16). In Christ, self-control takes on a whole new dimension. It is a whole new life that is to be lived and enjoyed with and in Him