2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV)
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:5–8 (ESV)
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Self-control deserves priority.
Matthew 16:24-26 (NKJV)
. . . “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. . . . For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
- Self-control – evaluating our choices biblically in accordance with God’s will.
“Self-control is not only about the self-control to stop doing things that destroy us but also about the self-control to do the things that build us up.” – Pastor Randy Frazee
Titus 1:12 (ESV)
One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
- Self-control deepens self-control.
- True freedom is impossible without constraints.
- Self-control demands a strategy.
- ASK FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT’S HELP
Galatians 5:16 (ESV)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
- Self-control is really spirit-control.
- The key to controlling yourself is to control your mind, which is where most problems with self-control begin.
Romans 8:5 (ESV)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Proverbs 4:23 (GNT)
Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.
Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
2. ACQUIRE NEW HABITS
- Start with a small victory over some troublesome area of your life. Then use that victory as a foundation to stand on while you conquer another area. After several small, individual victories, your habitual self-control will have increased. No longer will you depend on sheer willpower. Keep doing this, and the habit becomes second nature. That is when your life changes.
“How do you eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” – Desmond Tutu
3. AVOID TIGHT SPOTS
Proverbs 16:17 (ESV)
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
“It is easier to stay out than get out.” – Mark Twain
4. ACCEPT THE PROCESS
Resources:
“Disciplines of a Godly Woman” – Barbara Hughes
“Disciplines of a Godly Man” – Kent Hughes
Questions:
- What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
- What will you do because of it?
- How can we pray for you?