Self Control

Of the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, self-control (self-restraint, continence) is the last item in the list... but certainly not the least. In order to be Christ-like in this world.. we must be able to practice self-control, self-restraint, and continence.

People will make you angry... but What Would Jesus Do? Would Jesus flip them the bird? Would He cuss them out? NO. NO. A thousand times NO! Jesus exhibited love and compassion, even when people were all up in His face acting ignorant. Can we do the same?

The bigger question is...

Can we afford to not do the same?

¹¹ For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. ¹² It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, ¹³ Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

Titus 2:11-13 (Amplified Bible)

God’s unmerited favor and blessing gives us the ability to avoid loose and licentious living. As we yield to the Spirit (because, He has the right of way), we will practice self-control in the face of any sort of temptation that satan may try to use to trip us up. As we maintain a close and intimate walk with the Savior, we can have continual victory and rise from glory to glory. Now, There are many types of temptation that we encounter in life. One item from our Psalms from the Pen of the Ready Writer series, “Self Control,” addresses some of those that are probably the most common to the majority of us. Take the following verses in mind:

She looks so good
She looks so fine
In designer jeans
To my eyes, like wine

But that don’t play
Gotta look away
For the Spirit says
Crucify your flesh

Bring it under control
Self-control
Bring it under control
Self-control
Get a hold of your soul...
Self-control!

A chocolate cake
Ice cream on top
Though my belly’s full
I don’t wanna stop

But i can’t be
Slave to gluttony
Here, the Spirit lives
i’m completely His

Bring it under control
Self-control
Bring it under control
Self-control
Get a hold of your soul...
Self-control!

Where there is self control
There’s no law... No shame
I’ll take authority
In my Jesus’ name!

He makes me mad
Enough to spit
poisoned, venom words
i could throw a fit

But that is sin
Gotta reel it in
Bless his soul, instead
Hot coals on his head

Bring it under control
Self-control
Bring it under control
Self-control
Get a hold of your soul...
Self-control!