What is Your Level of Self-Control?

             Self-control is…self-discipline, willpower, restraint, and obedience. According to Strong’s concordance it is the ability to master one’s desires and passions. Self-control allows us to be disciplined and restrained with obedience to God and others. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines self-control as restraint over one's own impulses, emotions, or desires. Self-control is the key to good behavior. If children learn self-control—mastering their impulses, then their behavior will be more acceptable. This can apply to our lives as adults as well. Self-control is one of those traits in which we can continually learn and grow.  

Jesus was an example to us of one who was a master at self-control. He was continually obedient to His Father. Even when Satan was tempting Him and He was very hungry, Jesus kept His cool and focused on denying Satan and upholding the truth of the Scripture (see Matthew 4.) Do we see Jesus and self-control in the Old Testament? Jesus inspired Solomon as he wrote the book of Proverbs, which begins with the purpose of the book. Jesus wants people to be disciplined—in Solomon’s time…and throughout all time.

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Proverbs 1:2-4

Is the wall protecting your heart and life...
broken down or in disrepair?
Look to Jesus for self=control and hope.

No self-control in a person’s mind lets in evil thoughts and that begins the downward spiral to destruction. Satan would be happy about that—probably laughing his head off at the stupidity of that person. When the walls of purity are broken down, in dance the hobgoblins and just revolting, disgusting thoughts.

 

     I’ve tried to emphasize with my grandchildren from time to time the important of self-control. It can begin with a simple bouncing of one’s foot. Control that foot bouncing and you are beginning to control thoughts and actions overall. That is a glorious action. Self-control. A smile and a praise can go a long way to ensuring that that action doesn’t occur again! That mastery of one’s desires and passions needs to begin as a small child. Teenagers and adults who have no self-control may not be able to control their sexual desires. God wants us to be in control of that area of our lives…or rather He wants us to submit to His expectations which is maintaining purity. Remember that Jesus said to think of breaking one of the Ten Commandments is to do that. Don’t kill, commit adultery, lie, covet, or steal. Can you do that?

 

Purity begins with self-control. What is your choice for self-control today?

 

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

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, may Your love flow through us, giving us Your strength and wisdom and guiding our choices that we would have self-control and bring You glory in all that we think, say and do.

 

Meditate. Consider self-control.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13

 

© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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