Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self control, patience, devotion to God (2 peter 1:5-6 CEV).
The Greek word Peter used which was translated "self-control" means "to hold yourself in", and the picture Peter had in mind, when he wrote this scripture, was that of an athlete who undergoes rigorous training in order to win a race. He pushes himself hard and denies himself of sleep or certain pleasures so as to optimize his performance. The athlete is willing to give up anything because he has a focus: he wants to win the prize. Put simply, he's self controlled.
In the same manner, every child of God must exercise self-control. You cant just do anything you desire; you must take charge of your life. If someone offended you for example, and in anger, you had decided to lash out on the person; but just before you got to him, you remembered the word of jesus in Luke 6:29: "...unto him that smitheth thee on the right cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away the cloak forbid not to take thy coat also." As a result, you decided not to retaliate; that means you're "holding yourself in" to serve a greater good.
That's self-control!
The Bible tells us that the man who has no control over his spirit is like a city whose walls are broken down (Proverbs 25:28). This means he's vulnerable, susceptible to the attack of the enemy and anything could bring him down. Proverbs 16:32 on the other hand equates the man who has self-control with the warrior who conquers a city.
Therefore, make up your mind today to develop and exercise self-control.
The christian who is self-controlled is well covered and gives no room to the devil. He doesn't do anything because he feels like; he has God's word as his defence and standard. His spirit has gained the mastery over his mind and his body. He knows what is the good, the acceptable and the perfect will of God, and can choose the perfect will to work in it (Romans 12:2). Take control of your life today, and do only those things that brings glory to the Name of Jesus.
Rhapsody of Realities October 14, 2008
-Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
What a thrilling post! If we have self control, it essentially means that we know what the self-development is. Thanks for sharing this precious info. I would love to look more posts like this one. Keep it up!
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