I Don’t Want to Be Out of Control

Scripture:  Galatians 5:22-23 -   But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

A definition of self control is to grab, hold, strength, mastery.  It is the ability to restrain passions and appetites. When you invited Jesus Christ into your life, you received the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.  If it wasn’t for  us receiving the Holy Spirit at salvation, we would always be out of control.  Self control has application in the areas of physical, mental, moral, devotional, and social discipline.  When I think about self control, I think about discipline.  I Corinthians 9:24-27 says “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

We won’t have victory in the area of self control under we admit that we have a problem.  Sometimes we tend to make excuses for being out of control.  Have you ever said – Oh I’ve always been this way.  That person pushed my button and made me act out of control.  It is our responsibility to have self control.  By faith in the Lord and seeking His face, we have the power by the Holy Spirit to be transformed.  Romans 12:2 says “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (I Corinthians 10:13)”.

Don’t focus on your past failures. We can’t change the past, but we can have victory now that we have a personal relationship with God through trusting in the Jesus Christ!  Much failure in self control is a failure to resist urges.  Titus 2:11-14 says “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”  

Appealing/praying for help is necessary when we are dealing with our self control.  “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews). 2:18)  Hebrews 4:15-16 says “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for giving me what I need to have victory over self control.  Help me not to make excuses for failing in this area.  Please help me to say no to urges to be out of control.  I desire to do what pleases You.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)