Self-Control

God’s People Must Practice Self Control:

To keep the heart with all diligence

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

The one who rules his spirit is better 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.

Paul preached self-control to Felix

Acts 24:25  

As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Christians must add self-control to their knowledge

2 Peter 1:6  

And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

Every man who seeks to excel must exercise self-control

1 Corinthians 9:25  

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Thought

Some of the decisions we make today could rob us of the blessings God wants to give us. When you yield to temptation in a moment of weakness, you're actually sacrificing your future for momentary pleasure. We can't afford to live thoughtlessly, basing our decisions on immediate desires or feelings. Since the principle of sowing and reaping cannot be reversed, we need to carefully consider what we are planting. The harvest will come, and we'll reap what we have sown--and more than we've sown.