If someone really wants to be righteous, they must have self-control. Self-control is simply being able to “hold yourself in.” Galatians 5:23 proclaims it is part of the Spirit’s fruit. But you’re not in control of yourself unless …
- You control your thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- You control your actions (1 Corinthians 9:27).
- You control your temper (Proverbs 16:32).
- You control your tongue (James 3:2).
- You control your sexual appetite (1 Corinthians 7:9).
- You control your monetary appetite (1 Timothy 6:9).
Being a member of the body of Christ does not call for a withdrawal from life and its temptations. It calls for a self-disciplined life following Christ’s example of being in the world but not of the world (John 17:11, 15). If you can add self-control to your life, you will never stumble for heaven (2 Peter 1:6, 10-11).
Adapted from Harold Hancock
