“Our minds are mental greenhouses where unlawful thoughts, once planted, are nurtured and watered before being transplanted into the real world of unlawful actions… These actions are savored in the mind long before they are enjoyed in reality. The thought of life, then, is our first line of defense in the battle of self-control.” Jerry Bridges.
There are 52 verses in the Bible about self-control.
Pizza, red velvet cake, chips, and salsa, – these delicious foods often challenge my willpower. My husband lacks self-restraint when he has a little pie with his ice cream. There is nothing wrong with food or having fun. But if they become hindrances in our life, then that is a problem.
Ever put too much salt on your food? That is a vivid example of something out of balance. Too much salt is not tasty. It overpowers the other flavors and is not pleasing to eat.
I think of our grandson Tate. He never eats after he is full. He stops. He just isn’t tempted to keep on eating. I admire that about him.
I often wish I would have kept my thoughts to myself after speaking abruptly, and not using more self discipline in this area. Do you?
I will never have a “poker face.” That is why I will never play poker. The expression on my face will give it all away every time! I can’t help it.
We need to have balance and moderation in our life in every area.
Here are several verses to remember regarding self-control and self-discipline:
I Corinthians 9:25a; 27: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath . . . But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
Proverbs 21:23: “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
Proverbs 29:11: “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
Luke 14:11: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
2 Peter 1:6-7: “And knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”
Titus 1:7-8: “For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach, He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
Titus 2:11-12: 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.”
2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Yes, pizza, chips and salsa, red velvet cake, pie and ice cream are all enjoyable when not eaten in excess.
Words fitly spoken are like “honey and apples of gold (see the post on “Gracious Words Fitly Spoken”). How I often regret, after the fact, when bluntness has come out of my mouth before I am able to filter it with God’s love and grace and mercy.
“He who angers you conquers you.” Elizabeth Kenney.
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these, I commit my day.” Max Lucado.
“We must have a spirit of power towards the enemy, a spirit of love towards men, and a spirit of self-control towards ourselves.” Watchmen Nee.
My prayer for today: God, thank you for your peace and joy that fills my heart. I want to have Your Word control my thoughts, actions, relationships, problems, what I put into my mouth, and what comes out of my mouth in conversations. May I also use self-control in how I spend money. This world is not my home. Thank you for the abundance of excellent flavors to share with family and friends!
Ah yes, pizza, red velvet cake, chips, and salsa, and a little pie with some ice cream! Yum!
But the inner soul needs and can only find peace in Jesus Christ as it says in Psalm 107: 9: “For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”
Review verses on having self-control. Isn’t it always easier to see what others are lacking and falling short in, instead of your own? Administer the quality of self-control as Peter declares in 2 Peter 1:10b: “. . . if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”