God Commands Us To Be Self
1 Timothy 3:2: “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
Romans 12:3: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”
Titus 2:6: “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.
Ephesians 4:22-24: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Practicing self-control does not equal being legalistic. It is not operated by strict rules. Rather, it is fueled by love. We practice self-control because we love God and we love others. We ask Gods help to enable us to restrain our behavior so that we can be used for His glory and we can serve others well.
Matthew 6:9-13: Lead us not into temptation, we pray, as Jesus instructed. Those words come after weve said, Your kingdom come, Your will be done
2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 Peter 4:7: “The end of all things is at hand therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
Timothy : 7 For God Gave Us A Spirit Not Of Fear But Of Power And Love And Self
Fear is pervasive in our lives, whether we are aware or not. Fear tells us that we wont succeed, that imperfection means unlovable, and that we just wont make it without comfort food.
But, the Word of God tells us that His power, His love, and His self-control are the antidote to the fears that hold us back.
When you feel stuck, notice where the fear lives and saturate those lies with the love of God. The fear cannot stand.
More Bible Verses About Self
Lastly, I want to point out that self-discipline is not based on how you feel. If you ask a thousand people what their biggest struggle is when it comes to self-discipline, the majority will say a lack of energy or motivation.
The truth is, you may never feel like doing certain things, and you shouldn’t wait until you feel like it. Self-discipline is doing what needs to be done, everyday, regardless of how you feel.
We dont skip brushing our teeth just because we dont feel like doing it . We are so disciplined to do it because its a part of our daily routine.
Procrastination says work only if and when you feel like it. Self-discipline says work especially when you dont feel like it.
The bible makes it even clearer in these two verses:
- Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12
- Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do no give up. Galatians 6:9
Remember, because we are empowered from within by the Holy Spirit to be self-disciplined, we really have no good excuses for quitting or giving up. And even when we feel like throwing in the towel, we are encouraged to keep our spiritual fervor by tapping into the power of God to push through and keep moving forward.
Read Also: What Does The Bible Say About Mental Abuse
Weekly Devotional: Fruit Of The Spirit Self
- Weekly Devotional: Fruit of the Spirit Self-Control
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
We will wrap up the Fruit of the Spirit series by discussing self-control, which is one of the most important fruits to possess.
Self-control helps us to resist temptation and avoid conforming to the things of this world. It guides our decisions, and it correlates with how we show the other fruits in our lives.
For example, forbearance, or patience, requires self-control. Proverbs 14:29 says, Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Our sinful nature leads us to give into our temper, but we are called to rise above this and show patience.
Self-control can be applied to all of the fruits of the Spirit in the same way it is applied to forbearance.
Displaying self-control is often a matter of responding rather than reacting. When we react to a situation, we let our emotions take control. We are more likely to become defensive and say hurtful things. Responding, however, involves developing a thoughtful response that is guided by reason more than emotions.
As Christians, our responses to situations are to be guided by the fruits of the Spirit.
Read other devotionals from GCU’s Spiritual Life blog here.
Tags
Eliminate And Avoid Distractions
In your journey to become more self-disciplined, it is essential to identify anything that may be a distraction or hindrance to your goal.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Once you identify what your distractions are, start by eliminating or at least avoiding the ones that you can.
If your goal is to lose weight, you may need to go into the kitchen and throw away the junk food. If you’re distracted by the TV, you may need to unplug it for a while.
If certain people or places are a distraction – avoid them! You may need to temporarily block that friend who constantly texts you throughout the day. Or, stop hanging out with your negative cousin.
Recommended Reading: Love Definition Bible
Corinthians : 27 But I Discipline My Body And Keep It Under Control Lest After Preaching To Others I Myself Should Be Disqualified
There is more at stake than your diet here. God has big plans for you, plans that would rock your world. But, youll have to discipline your body to get there. Our bodies are our vehicles through life that allow us to doing Gods will.
Looking for little ways to discipline your food choices will help you strengthen those self-control muscles so that you wont be disqualified for service!
We Pursue A Greater Eternal Good When We Are Self
Im particularly struck by 1 Peter 4:7 which says, The end of all things is at hand therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. What does the end of all things have to do with being self-controlled? As believers in the Lord Jesus, we await the day when our Savior and Judge will return to earth, to claim those who are his and usher in a new creation. This will be our eternal destiny, and it is what we now watch and prepare for, especially since we do not know the day or the hour of our Lords return.
Watchfulness is to keep the eyes of our hearts fixed on eternal matters to store up treasures in heaven, rather than on earth and to demonstrate through our spiritual groaning a deep desire to be with Jesus once and for all time. Ruling over our impulses and actions is one way we remain watchful, sober-minded, and readied for Christ. By exercising self-control, we are valuing greater, eternal good over immediate gratification. On the discipline of fasting in particular, John Piper writes that we are saying, Lord Jesus, I want you more than this immediate need!³ Through self-control, we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ we set our minds on things above we flee from sin and we do battle against it through prayer.
Pursue a greater, eternal good through self-control because Jesus is coming back!
Also Check: What Does God Say About Vaccines
Bible Verses About Self Control In Your Eating
Your heart longs to please the Lord in everything you do, including how you eat. But, you struggle to put your faith into your food choices. Its not that you dont want to, its that you dont know how. These Bible verses about self-control will help you find victory through Christ in how you eat, to the glory of God.
The bag crackles as your fingers scrape across the empty bottom- theyre GONE. Not quite believing that you ate the entire bag, you take a peek only to see a few dusty crumbs lingering on. Frustrated with your lack of self-control, it seems as though you may as well give up.
As a Christian, you know how important self-control is to your walk with the Lord, and yet, it often alludes you . You want to make a change and get healthy, but your failed attempts have left you feeling hopeless and you dont know what to do, what to try, next.
My sister, I have great news for you. The Word of God contains everything you need to know about life and godliness, including self-control. BUT, just reading scriptures about self-control wont change your heart. We need to digest them AND apply them through the power of God.
Here you will find 10 Bible verses about self-control with helpful tips on how to apply these scriptures to how you eat.
Dont give up, dive IN!
Biblical Examples Of Self
The Bible is full of examples of self-control or those who needed to use self-control.
Do you ever wonder why God included so many of the faults and sins of his people throughout His word? Because we are just like them! We are made of the same cloth, so to speak and we need these examples to teach us.
Don’t Miss: What Does The Bible Say About Depression And Sadness
Bible Stories To Teach Your Kids About Self
When I think about self-control, the first thing that comes to mind certainly isnt kids under the age of 10. Or 15. Or 20. Or 25. Or 30 . . . Or 40, 50, 60 . . . self-control is HARD, no matter how old you are!
And yet, the Bible has a lot to say about this particular fruit of the Spirit. How do we even begin to cultivate a spirit of self-control in kids?
As kids reach different stages of neurological development, self-control becomes more attainable. Toddlers and young preschoolers have very little impulse control, and elementary kids arent much better . But these precious years provide so many opportunities to plant seeds that the Holy Spirit will grow in our kids as they mature. Little by little, theyll grow in self-control as they learn in small ways at first and then bigger ways and eventually, even bigger ways .
One awesome way to start teaching your kids about self-control is by reading them Bible stories that talk about self-control.
3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Self-Control
David and Saul
1 Samuel 24
Bible Truth: Because I trust God, I can use self-control.
David knew that God had a plan, and he trusted God, even though he could have acted to protect himself and kill his enemy! David showed self-control because he knew Gods plan needed to be in Gods timing.
Related Memory Verse: For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Nehemiah 4
Bible Truth: I can use self-control even when its hard.
Bible Verses About Patience And Self
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
Some personalities are always ready to fight or take matters into their own hands. Solomon warns us to have patience.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:11-12
Sometimes self-control is more about patiently waiting on the Lord to deliver us from a bad situation or to answer our prayers.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Self-control would be not throwing in the towel when we are tired. Paul encourages us to keep going, remain faithful, and believe that God will reward us.
Read Also: Where In The Bible Does It Say Pray Without Ceasing
Bible Verses About Self Control: What Does The Scripture Say
Weve all been there in the past
When you are tempted by the devil, and you are thinking of your next move
You are unmistakably sure of the right thing to do
But your subconscious is saying something different most likely, a wrong action you will soon regret
If you are struggling to make the right decisions again, Its time to re-edify yourself with bible verses about self-control
We all agree that the devils actions are tailored to our deceit.
He tries to tempt us with short term pleasures.
The devil tells us to fornicate because he knows we may accept the idea
He tells us to steal because its an easy way to get rich quick.
But thank God for our conscience.
Each time we are tempted by the Devil, through the power of Gods spirit, we are told the right thing to do.
Should I Go along and commit this sin? Will my father in heaven be happy with my next move?
Ive had my own struggles in the past with bad habits
For more than four years of my life, I was addicted to smoking
It all started because of a girl I met in my second year
And soon, it became a part of me
Year after year, I could not resist that immediate satisfaction I get from the first few puffs
Everything changed the day I learned how to control my mind
And by Gods grace, I have stopped smoking for years now
Likewise, you may be struggling with various types of temptation
Whatever the situation, you must exhibit dominion over the affairs of your body.
Paul said,
The 14 Best Bible Verses About Self Control
December 9, 2020 | Tanya Media
Self-control can take on many shapes. In one way, self-control is there to keep us in line in other ways, its there to protect us from evil. Regardless of your reason for trying to control yourself, God created us to enjoy things but to never allow anything to control our lives.
In Galatians 5:22-23 it says:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.
This verse teaches us not to let ourselves get out of control because when that happens, it will become much harder to turn back. Take alcohol addiction, for example. Even though every kind of addiction is treated as an illness-at its core it can be described as a lack of self-control. Its a chemical imbalance that prevents the person from knowing when its time to stop.
Once a person has lived as an alcoholic for long enough, it becomes much more difficult for them to reverse the habit. Its not only mentally challenging, but it becomes physically dangerous for them to try and change.
If youre struggling in any way with self-control, these bible verses about self-control should help you keep your mind in the right place so you can make the right decisions.
Recommended Reading: What Does Bible Say About Cremation Vs Burial
Dynamic Cta Template Below
Newest Release – Episode 5: Its Going to be Amazing!
After a couple has chosen life, hear the heartwarming stories of children that culture would have cast aside, yet are making tremendous impacts in their communities. Whether the diagnosis was adverse or the circumstances were difficult, these stories will inspire you to come along side of families who have chosen life!
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Will you pray for the pre-born and moms that are facing unexpected pregnancies? We will send you a 7-day prayer guide that will help guide you along this journey with us!! You can even choose to receive this great resource by text!
Newest Release – Episode 4: Sometimes the Choice is Hard
Hear real life stories of parents who have made the decision to choose life even though the circumstances were overwhelming. Youll see why ALL life is precious to God and why choosing life is always the right decision!
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Will you pray for the pre-born and moms that are facing unexpected pregnancies? We will send you a 7-day prayer guide that will help guide you along this journey with us!! You can even choose to receive this great resource by text!
Newest Release – Episode 6: Families Helping Families!
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Newest Release – Episode 3: The Power of a Picture
Newest Release – Episode 2: Heroes Providing Hope
Corinthians : 13 No Temptation Has Overtaken You That Is Not Common To Man God Is Faithful And He Will Not Let You Be Tempted Beyond Your Ability But With The Temptation He Will Also Provide The Way Of Escape That You May Be Able To Endure It
Do you ever feel like you are in short supply of self-control? No matter how deficient you feel, the Word of God tells us that you have enough!When you feel like you just cant stand up against the temptation any longer, keep your eyes open for a way of escape He has promised it is there ! You can overcome the temptation to eat!
You May Like: What Is Sanctification Mean
It Makes You More Attractive
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,
Note the word here for self-control is . It means being sober-minded. Whereas the other word was more about your behavior and having mastery over your actions.