God's Exquisite Garden

SELF-CONTROL

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The meaning of self-control is the control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc. A second meaning is the control of one's emotions or desires by one's own will. Another definition is the controlling of one's own behavior.

We read in II Peter 1:5 -7," But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love."

There are many Biblical examples of self-control being utilized. Daniel is a good example. Daniel and his three friends declined partaking of the king's food and wine. By their actions, they showed self-control in their ability to stand up for their beliefs.

" But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Daniel 1:8

We learn that Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and drank water for ten days, and at the end of the time were healthier than the young men who ate the king's food.

There are three areas in our lives where self-control is needed. One area is our THINKING. You may have heard someone say," I don't know what I was thinking. " We read in Proverbs 23:6-7,"Do not eat the bread of a miser nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ' Eat and drink!' he says to you, But his heart is not with you.'"

But I say to you, that for every idle word that men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV)

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)

" Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

A second area is that of our SPEECH. Our Lord God has told us how to speak and how not to speak.

A third area is our ACTIVITY. This would include the way in which we conduct ourselves.

We read in II Corinthians 6:17," Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you. " You may have heard the phrase "You only live once." Too many people try to have all the gusto they can in life. As they strive to get all the gusto they can, their conduct might become unbalanced.

We learn in Proverbs 23:20," Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; "

Christians are told to be different from the world. That is done by our behavior. Our conduct should not be the same as the world's. " Abstain from every form of evil. "I Thessalonians 5:22

" Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." II Timothy 2:22

Pre-marital sex occurs far too often in our society.
Paul in writing to the Corinthians said,"... but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. " I Corinthians 7:9

In Romans 7:13-25 Paul tells of his struggle between his fleshly and his spiritual nature. For one to have self-control discipline is required.

We read in I Corinthians 9:27," But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. " We need to examine ourselves to see whether or not we are following God's commandments and not following our own path.

"I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to your testimonies. " Psalm 119: 59


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Self- control is listed among the fruits of the Spirit. Sin is a transgression of God's will and in sin there is no self-control. The fruits of the Spirit are listed in Galations 5:22-23.

Discussion and study questions:
(1) Is it all right to merge ourselves into the conduct of the world?
(2) What is needed before self-control is effective?
(3) How does self-control affect our lives?
(4) Is there a guidebook to self-control, if so, what is it?

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Copyright 2007 Linda Lawrence

Lessons in this Series

About The Author

Print Version of All Lessons


Lesson 1
Attitude


Lesson 2
The Mind of Christ


Lesson 3
Imitate Christ


Lesson 4
Communication


Lesson 5
Taming the Tongue


Lesson 6
Our Legacy


Lesson 7
Compassion


Lesson 8
Confidence


Lesson 9
Courage


Lesson 10
Gossip


Lesson 11
Honesty


Lesson 12
Profanity


Lesson 13
Improper Language

. .

Lesson 14
Faith


Lesson 15
Encouragement


Lesson 16
Humility


Lesson 17
Assurance


Lesson 18
Perseverance


Lesson 19
Strength to
Endure Suffering


Lesson 20
Grieve Not
The Spirit


Lesson 21
Understanding


Lesson 22
Knowledge


Lesson 23
Wisdom


Lesson 24
Purity in Heart


Lesson 25
Trust


Lesson 26
Obedience

. .

Lesson 27
Happiness


Lesson 28
Contentment


Lesson 29
Optimism


Lesson 30
Inner Peace


Lesson 31
Self-Control


Lesson 32
Our Example


Lesson 33
Patience


Lesson 34
Concern


Lesson 35
Testing Of Our Faith


Lesson 36
Mercy


Lesson 37
Grace


Lesson 38
Problems Concerning
Failure


Lesson 39
Practical Results

. .

Lesson 40
Good Works


Lesson 41
Women Teachers
in Bible Times


Lesson 42
Women Teachers
Today


Lesson 43
Having
Good Friends


Lesson 44
Choosing a Husband


Lesson 45
Choosing a Wife


Lesson 46
The Exemplary Daughter
Part 1


Lesson 47
The Exemplary Daughter
Part 2


Lesson 48
The Ideal Mother
Part 1


Lesson 49
The Ideal Mother
Part 2


Lesson 50
The Home As God
Would Have It
Part 1


Lesson 51
The Home As God
Would Have It
Part 2


Lesson 52
Impurity,
. .

Lesson 53
Marriage As God
Would Have It
Part 1


Lesson 54
Marriage As God
Would Have It
Part 2


Lesson 55
The Virtuous Woman
Part 1


Lesson 56
The Virtuous Woman
Part 2


Lesson 57
The Virtuous Woman
Part 3


Lesson 58
Love


Lesson 59
Morality


Lesson 60
Pride & Haughtiness


Lesson 61
Kindness


Lesson 62
Respect


Lesson 63
Modesty


Lesson 64
Lying


Lesson 65
Lewdness

. .

Lesson 66
Incomprehensible
God


Lesson 67
Unsearchable
Riches


Lesson 68
Infinite God


Lesson 69
Holiness of God


Lesson 70
Righteousness
of God


Lesson 71
Attendance


Lesson 72
Omnipresence
of God


Lesson 73
Omniscience
of God

. .










Linda recommends this book
by Women of Freed Hardeman University



904363: The Fruit of the Spirit is...Self-Control The Fruit of the Spirit is...Self-Control
By Lynn Stanley / Focus Publishing Incorporated

With sin and the temptation to sin permeating our culture, we are constantly being challenged to exercise self-control. As followers of Jesus Christ we have His Spirit—and therefore His power—to control our behavior, but much of the time, we do not draw on that power. Using scripture (NIV & KJV texts are quoted side by side), commentary, and 5 days of application/ reflection questions, Lynn Stanley guides us into understanding and transforming our desire to sin into a desire for sanctification. Ten chapters for individual and group study.


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