A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 ESV

Defining Self-Control

Do you struggle with self-control?
Let’s define self-control. It’s the ability to control yourself, your emotions and desires, especially in challenging circumstances.
Do you have a bad temper, do you procrastinate, indulge yourself in too much junk food, or just too much food, or watch too much TV? All are evidence of a lack of self-control. Maybe shopping is your thing. A little Retail Therapy with a shocking price tag when the bills come due.
A lack of self-control can find a million ways to express itself in our lives.

We all wish we weren’t that way, but we’ve tried not to be and that failed so we gave up, gave in, held up a white flag and just surrendered.

Self-Control in Daily Life

In the early days of my life as a Christian I began to realize that losing my temper was sin.
I had little kids and it was all their fault. 🙃

Oh, no, it wasn’t their fault.
They just did the things kids do.
It was my selfishness that caused me to react selfishly to the messes, the noise, the general inconvenience of little ones.

I know, bad, huh.
As my friend once said, “I feel like the words BAD MOTHER are tattooed across my forehead.”
Now I lack self-control and I’m dripping in guilt and shame.

The Spiritual Meaning of Self-Control

In his book, The Practice of Godliness, author Jerry Bridges share a clear definition of the spiritual meaning of self-control.

“Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgment that enables us to do, think, and say the things that are pleasing to God.”

The thing I didn’t factor into the equation at the time, and sadly for too many years,
was that self-control is also part of the fruit of the Spirit.
What’s that you ask?
It’s the beauty of nine graces evident in the life of someone walking with God.

Bible Verses About Self Control

The Bible has a lot to say about self control. Books like Proverbs tell us that it’s as important to have as a city wall was to towns and villages in ancient times. It’s a source of protection. It’s also a sign that God’s Holy Spirit is at work in a individual. A Christian with self control is a believer who is really under the control of God’s Holy Spirit.

God’s Part and Our Part in Self Control

In Galatians 5:22-24 we are taught that the Holy Spirit works within the believer and His work produces highly desirable spiritual fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:22-24

There is God’s part and there is a part for us.
He produces the fruit, but we have to learn to put to death our flesh and its passions and desires.

This is the season of Lent.
The perfect time to begin saying no to our flesh.
Just Say No was a slogan for a failed campaign against drug use in America.

It didn’t prove very success in the general population, but it works for believers.
We don’t do it in our own strength, but through the strength God gives.
He won’t overrule us or control us against our will, but He gladly supplies what we lack when we ask.

. . . God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
Psalm 18:32

We are the very best versions of ourselves when we invite the perfecting influence of the Holy Spirit into our lives.

Whatever you struggle with, you need to know that God cares.
He’s waiting to help you, to strengthen you, to walk you into victory over the selfishness and sin.
Remember, apart from Him you can’t do it. (John 15:5)

In case you didn’t know, the blue highlighted phrases are links to other blog posts about self-control.👍 It’s a topic I write about often because learning self-control has been a constant challenge in my long walk with Jesus. The beauty of His fellowship is that I’m never alone in my struggle and never forced to rely on my own strength to cope.🙌🙌🙌