God's Exquisite Garden SELF-CONTROL Print version 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 Larger image 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? Lookup a word or passage in the Bible Include this form on your page 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

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.