THE POWER OF SELF CONTROL

by T.d. KASUKU

INTRODUCTION

The Greek word translated “self-control,” egkrateia, is derived from two  other Greek words— en and kratos . En means “in” and kratos means “strength” or “power.” From kratos we get such English words as “democracy” (power or rule by the people) and “theocracy” (government by God).

From these Greek roots we see that egkrateia essentially means power or strength within. But whose power?

8THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SELF-CONTROL

1st THING :  A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.

Proverbs 25:28, NIV “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control” 

Proverbs 25:28 NLT "A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." 

Proverbs 16:32, GNB “It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities” 

2nd THING : It takes self-control to "bridle" one's tongue

Proverbs 17:27 “A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.”

Proverbs 29:20 “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Three qiestions should always be asked before opening our mouth :

1) Does this have to be said?

2) Does this have to be said by me?

3) Does this have to be said by me right now?

3rd THING It takes self-control to be slow to anger, to be able to control one's temper, mood or emotion.

Proverbs 14:17 “A quick tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.”

Proverbs 16:32 ESV Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”

4th THING : It takes self-control to say "NO" to sin

Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,.. .

5th THING : It takes self-control to master one's sexual desires

1 Corinthians 7:9 ESV But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Job 31:1 ESV “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

6th THING : It takes self-control to master one's thoughts

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “. . . bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” 

7th THING : It takes self-control to avoid being devoured by the roaring lion, the devil.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour.”

8th THING : It takes self-control to know that you can but you decide not to

1 Corinthians 6:12 BBE  I am free to do all things; but not all things are wise. I am free to do all things; but I will not let myself come under the power of any.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE ?

1st THING : BE ADDICTED TO GRACE'S GOD AND BE TEACHABLE  . . . 

Titus 2:11-12 The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

2nd THING : BE EMPOWERED . . . 

It takes more than just willpower for lasting self-control. It takes a power greater than yourself to control yourself. self-control is a work of the Holy Spirit, not a work of the individual. After all, Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of the Christian

2 Timothy 1:7 TEV "For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control."

3rd THING : BE ACCOUNTABLE . . .

It takes the discipline of the Master to be a disciple of the Master

John 8:31 GNB “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples”

Luke 9:23 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” 

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step … I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified”

4th THING : BE RESPONSIBLE . . .

You always are responsible for your actions no matter the intensity of your feelings or emotions

Galatians 6:5 MSG Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

5th THING : BE PRAYERFUL  . . .

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom [self-control], let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Yahweh, I come before you in prayer, to magnify and glorify your precious name. Draw close to me, Oh heavenly Father, lead me, guide me, walk beside me, shape me into who You want me to be. Allow Your will to be done in my life in order for me to become a living, breathing testimony. Take control, Oh Lord, Jesus, be the centre.

Psalm 119:11  Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, Lord. Allow me to display self-control when temptations draw near. Help me to resist whatever comes my way. Make me pure, holy and true when Lucifer tries to intervene. Give me peace in my mind, body and soul so that I can remain focused on You and Your word daily. Let your Word be the bread that I crave and want as much as the air that I breathe.

Galatians 5:16-18 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Let lustful desires, anger, guilt, jealousy, sorrow and pride just fall away at the sound of Your great name. May these things not control my actions, my emotions or even my thoughts. I continually desire to seek You Lord, give me the strength to overcome. I cannot go on without You, I need You, Oh loving Father. I declare and decree that temptations will not get the better of me, in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.