Unspeakable and full of glory!

In the sacred Scriptures, we are reminded of the importance of self-control as a characteristic that is pleasing to God. In Galatians 5:22-23, it is written, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” This passage highlights self-control as one of the fruits that the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers.

To live a life pleasing to God, we must exercise self-control in all areas of our existence. This includes our thoughts, emotions, and actions. In Proverbs 25:28, it says, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Just as a city without walls is vulnerable to attacks, a lack of self-control makes us susceptible to the temptations and destructive influences of the world.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus exemplifies self-control when He resists the temptations of the devil during His forty days of fasting in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Through this example, we see that self-control enables us to overcome temptation and choose righteousness over sin.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the significance of self-control in his teachings. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he compares the Christian life to a race, stating that those who compete must exercise self-control in all things to receive the eternal prize. He writes, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

Developing self-control requires diligence and practice, as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-7, which encourages believers to add self-control to their faith. It says, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.”

To cultivate self-control, we can turn to God for help and guidance through prayer and reliance on His Word. Psalm 119:11 reminds us, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” By filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word, we equip ourselves to resist temptation and align our lives with His divine will.

In times of stress or difficulty, we can find comfort in Philippians 4:13, which declares, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This verse reminds us that God’s strength enables us to exercise self-control even when circumstances seem overwhelming.

Self-control is a vital characteristic for believers to manifest in their lives. As we yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and immerse ourselves in God’s Word, we can cultivate self-control, resist temptation, and live a life that reflects God’s will and brings glory to His name. With His help, we can overcome obstacles and grow in self-mastery, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in every aspect of our existence.