Articles
Don't Lose Your Control
The definition of self control according to Merriam Webster is the restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or desires. This means if we have self control, it gives us the ability to hold our tongues when we are tempted to put someone in their place once and for all. Another example could be gossiping to add a little flavor to a conversation.
"A fool always looses his temper, but a wise man holds it back" (Proverbs 29:11).
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble" (Proverbs 21:23).
"Let no corrupt talk come out your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who here" (Ephesians 4:29).
Self control is what enables us to control our passions and purity of heart as we face life’s trials and tribulations.
"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 with godliness" (2 Peter 1:5-6).
I believe self control has a spiritual and physical aspect. The physical aspect could, for example, be being a smoker or an alcoholic and putting down a cigarette or beverage and refusing to take part in any such temptations.
Spiritual self control is which enables us to rule ourselves and say no when our lusts would lead us to sin. God does not view our uncontrolled behavior with very much amusement. Our temper tantrums and harsh words threaten our relationship with God. For example, look at David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11): David’s lust for Bathsheba outweighed his self control and caused him to sin in the eyes of God. In this example David gave into temptation. He did not have the self control to abstain from evil.
In contrast, David showed great self-control when he had a chance to end Saul’s life in the cave (I Samuel 24). After all the turmoil that Saul had put David through, he still chose to have self-control when I’m sure it was a huge temptation to easily end Saul’s life.
As Christians, I believe if we have self control, we will be able to draw closer to God and even closer to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Having great self control means we are pleasing God and putting our best foot forward in our physical and spiritual life.
