Self-control

Acts 24:24–27 ESV

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

I. Self-control is the mark of a wise person

Proverbs 29:11 ESV

11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

See also Pr 1:1–5

Proverbs 1:1–5 ESV

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

II. Self-control is an aspect of Christian character

Ga 5:22–23; Tt 2:11–12

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

See also 1 Ti 3:2; Tt 1:8; Tt 2:2; Tt 2:5–6; 2 Pe 1:5–9

III. Self-control affects the whole person

A. Physical self-control

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 ESV

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

See also 1 Co 7:36–38; 1 Th 4:3–7

1 Corinthians 7:36–38 ESV

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–7 ESV

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

B. A mental discipline

1 Peter 1:13 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

See also 1 Th 5:6–8; 1 Pe 4:7; 1 Pe 5:8

1 Thessalonians 5:6–8 ESV

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Peter 4:7 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

C. Controlled speech

Ps 141:3; Jas 1:19

Psalm 141:3 ESV

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

James 1:19 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

See also Ps 17:3; Pr 16:23; Pr 21:23; Ec 5:2; Jas 3:1–12

IV. Self-control in response to persecution

Matthew 5:39–40 ESV

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

See also 1 Pe 2:18–23

1 Peter 2:18–23 ESV

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Examples of self-control

Ge 39:7–12 Joseph

David:

1 Sa 24:1–7; 1 Sa 26:7–12; 2 Sa 16:9–10

Job:

Job 31:1; Job 31:30

Jesus Christ:

Is 53:7 the servant, understood in the NT as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ; Mk 14:61; Mt 27:27–30

Paul:

1 Co 4:12–13; 1 Co 9:24–27

V. The dangers of a loss of self-control

Pr 18:7; Je 14:10

Proverbs 18:7 ESV

7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Jeremiah 14:10 ESV

10 Thus says the Lord concerning this people: “They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore the Lord does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.”

See also 1 Sa 18:10–11 Saul; 2 Sa 13:7–14 Amnon; Ps 106:32–33 Moses; Pr 6:1–3; Pr 29:18; Ac 24:25; Ro 1:24–31; 1 Co 7:5 aimed at those who thought that abstaining from sexual relations in marriage was spiritual; 1 Co 7:9; Col 2:23

- False teaching was leading to the throwing off of restraints in the name of the gospel:

2 Pe 2:12–14; 2 Pe 2:18–19; Jud 4

2 Peter 2:12–14 ESV

12 But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, 13 suffering wrong as the wage for their wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, while they feast with you. 14 They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

2 Peter 2:18–19 ESV

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

Jude 4 ESV

4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

God’s Plan of Salvation

Hear the Word of God

Matthew 7:24–27 ESV

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Believe the Word of God

James 2:24 ESV

24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Repent of Your Past Enmity

Acts 17:30 ESV

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Confess the Son of God

1 Timothy 6:12 ESV

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Be Baptized for the Remission of Your Sins

1 Peter 3:21 ESV

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Remain Steadfast in New Life

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.