Self-Control

 Why can't I seem to control certain desires?

ROMANS 7:21-25 | I have discovered this principle of life----that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Because you were born with a sinful nature, it will always be a struggle for you to do what is right and to not do what is wrong. Thankfully, God understands your weakness and gives you the desire to please him. As you obey God, you will develop more self-control and the battle with your sinful nature will lessen.

ROMANS 12:1 | Give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice---the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 

You must truly want to give up the wrong desires you have. 

What are some steps to exercising self-control?

PSALM 119:9 | How can a ...person stay pure? By obeying your word.

2 TIMOTHY 2:5 | Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.

To develop self-control, you first need to know God's guild lines for right living as found in the Bible. You need to know what you must control before you can keep it under control. Reading God's Word consistently---preferably every day---keeps his guidelines for right living fresh in your mind.

1 TIMOTHY 4:8 | Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

Self-control begins with God's work in you, but it requires your effort as well. Just as talented musicians and athletes must develop their talent, strength, and coordination through intentional effort, spiritual fitness must be intentional as well. God promises to reward such effort.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 | The temptations. Instead of thinking you have no hope for resisting, call on the Lord to lead you out of temptation. Ask trusted friends to keep you accountable. If you ask God promises to give you what you need in order to resist.

PSALM 141:3 | Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.

PROVERBS 13:3 | Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

JAMES 1:26 |  If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

You exercise self-control by being careful of what you say. How often do you wish you could take back words as soon as they have left your mouth?

ROMANS 8:6 | Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirt control your mind leads to life and peace.

In order to have self-control, you must let God take control of your mind by fighting against the desires you know are wrong.

Promise from God JAMES 1:12 | God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.