Interestingly the only significant mention of the ‘self’ that the Apostle Paul makes in his thirteen epistles to us believing Gentiles of “the body of Christ” is this below. He elsewhere also alludes to the matter of self-control using different words.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance [Greek, enkrateia, self-control]: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)

‘Self-control’ is listed in the Bible as one of the several ‘fruits” of “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” who indwells and is one with the believer’s human “spirit of man” (1Cor. 6:17). The expression of these righteous characteristics would indicate that “Christ [is] in you” (Col. 1:27). If we let our independent self-desires lead our decisions, our lives (and our bodies) can quickly spin out of control.

This failure is to then be expected because living our lives apart from our close union with Christ, we are NOT actually independent, but rather living as tools of Satan through “the mind of the flesh.” (Rom. 8:5-6).

Thus, one characteristic of the spiritually mature Christian’s life is their willingness to “delay gratification,” thus putting off the impulses of “self” of “the flesh.” This is the total opposite of the “I want what I want, now” of the undisciplined believer.

Many of us move and do things at times without thought or consideration of the ramifications. Some of us are more out of control than others, needing to be more careful in what and how they do things. This applies to our interactions with others, or performing tasks such as how we drive our car, or use a tool… or simply making a proper choice and decision.

We as genuine believers need to see ourselves as becoming deliberate, thoughtful, and unhurried in all our doings.

Below and in Part 2 we will look at several Bible verses Related to ‘Self-Control.’

As a state of being, “self-control,” referred to as “temperance” in the KJV Bible is listed as one of the several ‘fruits of the Spirit’ – they are an indicator that Christ is in us and has been working.

“For it is God Which Worketh In You both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phili. 2:13 (KJV)

“Being confident of this very thing, that he [God] which hath begun a good work In You will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

‘Self-control’ is actually ‘self-discipline’ that God grows in us as we learn to continually choose to ‘die to’ our “flesh” which has been doing the choosing through our tainted soul’s mind… now rather to live in union with or in accord with the indwelling “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Fulfilling those cravings feels so good at the time, but Christ offers us a freedom that is only found in honoring those healthy boundaries.

Paul here confessed his own problem in coping with matters of self-satisfaction... he was utterly frustrated.

“For I [Paul] know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18 (KJV)

It is so very frustrating to know what is right and still not be able to manage to do it. So, what’s missing element between our knowledge and action?

What is missing is our reliance upon Jesus Christ and His “Spirit of life,” even while He is close at hand indwelling our “spirit of man” as the potential “Lord [master]” of our living.

The Sin-nature is as close as “Sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3), working through our soul’s “mind,” generating what Paul calls the “carnal [fleshly] mind” that is “enmity against God” (Rom. 8:7). The “flesh” works in us to inculcate Satan’s nature into our daily living – as Lucifer’s nature was always about “himself” – saying “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:14 (KJV) He works in us to encourage self-interest all the time, which is the opposite of God’s way of “love,” which means “charity” – ‘the giving of our self to God’s interest and the interest of others as God may leads us to.’

Yet, all the while we as genuine believing Christians have “the One” in us who can give us the strength to stand up and say no to “self’s” sinful tempting impulses. Note that the ‘acts of the Sin-nature” which are called ‘sins’ are not just the gross ones that we already know of. Paul says “Whatsoever is not of faith [not trusting in the Lord in us] is sin.” Christ is the only Christian and He lives in us. He is working in us to emerge as ‘the new us’ from the day we were first saved.

Do we live by appreciating and trusting in the indwelling guidance of the Lord who indwells our Spirit and gives us the sense to say NO to certain impulses? Even such things as fear and impatience are symptoms of ‘self out of control’? ‘Fear’ essentially says; I don’t trust God’s plan for me and what is going on in my life and whatever it entails. Impatience’ essentially says “I am god and things should go my way, right now.”

The fact is apart from Christ, we do not have the strength on our own to be able to resist the impulses of “the Flesh” to choose what is right, especially when it doesn’t feel good to us. Fortunately, we serve a very good, ever-faithful God who works wonders in our weakness as we seek to walk in the Spirit.

“This I say then, walk in [accord with] the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust [strong desires] of the flesh….

²⁵ If [since] we live [have our real life] in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16, 25 (KJV)

“It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. ²⁸ He That Hath No Rule Over His Own Spirit is like a city that is broken down, and Without Walls [boundaries].” (Proverbs 25:27-28 (KJV)

As I mentioned about the seemingly small lapses in our judgement, giving in to just a little bit of temptation doesn’t always feel so sinful at the time. It doesn’t always feel like we need to resist it by drawing near to God. When we give in to temptation once, even just a little bit, it’s like Satan sticking his foot in the door, giving him more power to tempt you even more. But know this, his power is broken by your co-death with Christ (cf. Rom. 6:3). Dead men cannot be tempted. “For he that is dead is freed from sin [freed from the dominion of the Sin-nature] (Romans 6:7 (KJV)

But the lie of temptation tells you that when you give in, it’s going to feel so good and you’ll feel so satisfied. Yet, that satisfaction never comes and all you’re left with the realization that you want what you then know is wrong … all the more.

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober [has self-control], of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; ³  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” 1 Timothy 3:2-3 (KJV)

In this verse, Timothy was explaining what they should look for in a person before appointing them as an overseer of the assembly. In their list of character traits, ‘self-control’ (being sober, temperate) is a big item and applicable to just about everything else on the list.

It takes ‘self-control’ to accomplish all of those other listed things – staying faithful to your wife, keeping your cool in frustrating situations, not drinking too much, not losing your temper, not arguing (even when you think you’re right), and not becoming too focused on money.

¹ This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. ²  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, ⁴  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; ⁵  Having a form [outward appearance] of godliness, but denying [not trusting] the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV)

I’ve included all 5 verses here above because they are all so powerful. This is a strong warning to avoid people lacking self-control... they can lure you into a lack of self-control. It uses strong wording, saying that people without self-control love pleasure more than God. Yikes! I never want that to be something that defines me! And the end of the verse instructs them to essentially ‘Have nothing to do with such people.’

Don’t be such people. Be an example of Christ that others can look up to.

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹² Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” Titus 2:11-12 (KJV)