Sermon: Self-Control

WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL?

▪︎Self-restraint from wrong-doing:Ability to resist temptations and avoid actions that go against moral or ethical standards.

▪︎Ability to have priorities,establish boundaries and stick to them.

▪︎Making intentional choices and maintaining discipline.

▪︎Ability to respond to unpleasant or frustrating situations,inorder to get better outcomes.

▪︎It refers to the ability to govern one’s desires, emotions, and actions, aligning them with God’s will.

HOW TO EXHIBIT SELF-CONTROL AS A CHRISTIAN :

▪︎Prayer and Dependence on God: Regular prayer strengthens your relationship with God and helps you seek His guidance. 

-Philippians 4:6-7,"Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication,with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding,will guard your hearts ans minds through Christ Jesus.

▪︎Studying Scripture:Engaging with the Bible provides wisdom and encouragement to make wise choices.

 -Psalm 119:11,"Your word  is have hidden in my heart,That I might not sin against you."

▪︎Surround yourself with fellow believers who can support and hold you accountable. 

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-10,"Two are better than one....For if they fall,one will lift up his companion."

▪︎Practicing Discipline:Make intentional choices to resist temptation and develop good habits .

-1 Corinthians 9:27,"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,lest,when I have preached to others,I myself should become disqualified. "

▪︎Renewing Your Mind: Focus on positive and uplifting thoughts to shape your behavior. 

-Romans 12:2,"But be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

HOW TO CONTROL YOURSELF BASED ON THE BIBLE.

▪︎Walk in the spirit.

-Galatians 5:16,"Walk in the spirit and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

▪︎Exhibit control over the lust of flesh,the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

-1 John 2:16,"For all that is in the world- the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world.

▪︎Have control over your speech and your temper  by being slow in speech and slow to wrath.

-James 1:20,"For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

▪︎Have self-control and do not exhibit any ungodly character.

-2 Timothy 3:2-4,"For men will be lovers of themselves,lovers of money, boasters, proud,blasphemers,disobedient to parents, unthankful,unholy,unloving,unforgiving,slanderers,without self-control......"

▪︎Be mindful of the company you keep and don’t make everyone your friend.

-1 Corinthians 15:33,"Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits."

▪︎Control your temper and do not bear grudges.

-Ephesians 4:26,"Be angry,and do not sin."Do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

▪︎Flee from youthful lusts but pursue righteousness,faith,love and peace.

-2 Timothy 2:22,"Flee also youthful lusts;but pursue righteousness, faith, love,peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

▪︎Put on the Lord Jesus Christ,and do not fulfil the lusts of the flesh.

-Romans 13:14,"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,make no provision for the flesh,to fulfill its lusts."

▪︎Control yourself from the sin of adultery.

-Matthew 5:28,"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

▪︎Control yourself from sinful habits and do not let sin reign in your mortal body.

-Romans 6:12,"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body,that you should obey it in its lusts."

▪︎Control yourself from wandering aimlessly and restrain your feet from evil.

-Jeremiah 14:10,"Thus they have loved to wander;they have not restrained their feet.Therefore the Lord does not accept them;He will remember their iniquity now,And punish their sins."

▪︎Tame your tongue and speak only when it’s necessary.

-James 3:8,"But no man can tame the tongue.It is an unruly evil,full of deadly poison."

▪︎Guard your mouth and tongue to keep away from trouble.

-Proverbs 21:23,"Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles."

▪︎Do not use your liberty in Christ as an opportunity for the flesh,but to serve one another.

-Galatians 5:13,"For you brethren,have been called to liberty;only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,but through love serve one another."

▪︎Purpose in your heart not to look lustfully on a woman.

-Job 31:1,"I have made a covenant with my eyes;Why then should I look upon a young woman?

▪︎Deny all forms of ungodliness and worldly lusts,live a righteous and Godly life.

-Titus 2:12,"Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,we should live soberly, righteously,and godly in the present age."

▪︎Abstain from sexual immorality.

-1 Thessalonians 4:3,"For this is the will of God,your sanctification:that you should abstain from sexual immortality."

▪︎Be slow to wrath.Control your temper.

-Proverbs 14:29,"He who is slow to wrath has great understanding. "

▪︎Discipline your body  and bring it into subjection.

-1 Corinthians 9:27,"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection,lest,when I have preached to others,I myself should become disqualified."

▪︎Do not mix with winebibbers or with gluttonous eaters of meat.(Proverbs 23:20)

▪︎Control your own spirit and rule over it.

-Proverbs 25:28,"Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down,without walls."

BENEFITS OF SELF-CONTROL

◇Spiritual Growth: It fosters a closer relationship with God by enabling obedience to His teachings and resisting temptations.

◇Moral Integrity: Practicing self-control helps maintain ethical standards and aligns actions with Christian values.

◇Healthy Relationships: It improves interactions with others, promoting patience, kindness, and forgiveness.

◇Emotional Stability: Self-control aids in managing emotions, reducing anxiety and fostering peace.

◇Purposeful Living: It allows Christians to focus on spiritual priorities rather than immediate gratifications.

◇Witness to Others: Demonstrating self-control can serve as a powerful testimony of faith, influencing others positively.

◇Resilience in Trials: It helps believers endure challenges and setbacks with grace and strength, relying on faith.

PRAYER

1.Father, help me to walk in the spirit so that I will not fulfil the lusts of flesh, in Jesus name.

2.O Lord,help me to speak only when it is necessary, in Jesus name.

3.I will not fall into the deceptive plans of my enemies, in Jesus name.

4.Holy spirit,get rid of quick and hot temper in  my life, in Jesus name.

5.Father,keep my mind and thoughts pure, in Jesus name.

6.I flee from youthful lusts and sexual immorality, in the name of Jesus.

7.Holy spirit,help me to have control over the lust of the eyes, in Jesus name. 

8.O Lord,control my speech and my temper, in Jesus name.

9.Wind of the Lord,drive away wrong friends from me, in Jesus name.

10.Father,do not let sin reign in my mortal body, in Jesus name.

11.I will not wander aimlessly in life, in Jesus name. 

12.Father,restrain my feet from evil, in Jesus name. 

13.Holy spirit,tame my tongue in Jesus name. 

14.I deny all forms of ungodliness and worldly lusts, in Jesus name. 

15.I will not mix with winebibbers and gluttonous eaters, in Jesus name. 

16.Holy spirit,control my spirit and rule over it, in Jesus name. 

17.Father,empower me to resist all forms of temptation, in Jesus name. 

19.O Lord,help me to govern my desires, emotions and action;and align them with God's will,in Jesus name.

20.Heavenly Father,help me to live a righteous and a Godly life,in Jesus name.

Thank you Lord for answering my prayers,in Jesus name.Amen