Self-Control
Self Control; the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires, especially in difficult situations.
Just take a minute right now and reflect on the aspects (finances, health(food, exercises),spiritual(praying, meditating on God’s word) of your life you are exercising self control. Now take a note of the parts of your life where you are not exercising self control. What the difference?
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28
This scripture above provides the perfect imagery. A city whose walls are broken through or has no walls, has nothing in place to keep it safe from harm. Therefore it is vulnerable to all forms of attacks as it has no defence system in place. The lack of protection puts the city at a high risk of loosing valuable possessions resulting in huge and terrible costs to the city.
Similarly an individual who lacks self control has no protection in place to keep them safe from harm, making them vulnerable to all forms of attack. An individual who lacks self control in their:
Finances- has no defenses in place to resist the urge to impulse buying leading to uncontrolled spending, bad credit and no savings in place resulting in loss of possessions if unable to pay back debt
Health - has no defenses in place to restrain the amount of food consumed and maintain the necessary level of exercise needed for a healthy lifestyle leading to obesity and other medical complications
Spiritual - has no defenses in place to resist the desires of the flesh( e.g. jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, drunkenness) leading to destruction and not inheriting the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21)
A person who lacks self controls, lacks the ability to say no to their desires therefore is overcome and defenceless by those very desire.“……For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19
So how does a person gain self control?
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7. God makes provision for those who lack self-control.
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 10:9-11
As long you accept Jesus is Lord and receive Him wholeheartedly, He has given you His Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; ………” Galatians 5:22-23
With the Holy Spirit active in a persons life they are able to produce the fruit of self control which intern reflects the desires of God in their life
So if you are reading this today and lack self-control, I pray for the filling and activation of the Holy Spirit in your life, so your’e able to exhibit self-control by resisting temptations when they draw near.
With love,
Kafui /YAFC TEAM
