“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control”. – Proverbs 25:28
To test their children’s self-control, parents sometimes place tempting snacks in front of them and ask them to wait before eating. The goal is to see how well they can delay gratification. When the children succeed, it brings the parents joy and satisfaction. In the same way, our spirit rejoices when it overcomes the impulses of the flesh.
Self-control is a fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and when exercised, it proves that we have control over desires and passions that do not glorify God. It is also the ability to master negative impulses of the flesh. A believer walking in this virtue has mastered his desires and passions. This allows them to show restraint, a mark of discipline.
Gaining mastery over your desires and passions is important because sin is not only wanting bad things; it is also wanting anything badly. The book of James admonishes that our desires can entice us, which can produce sin (James 1:13-15). Thus, God put His Spirit in us to empower us and train us to overcome desires that lead to temptations which ultimately births sin. By practicing self-control, you can learn to take every thought captive and bring it under Christ’s authority. (2 Cor 10: 5 – 6)
Our anchor texts paint a vivid picture of what happens when we lack self-control. A city without walls is vulnerable to attack, chaos, and ruin. In ancient times, city walls represented security and strength. Without them, even the most prosperous city was exposed to destruction. Likewise, when you let your desires go unchecked, you expose yourself to emotional and spiritual harm.
Furthermore, self-control is a yardstick to measure your maturity as a believer. Apostle Peter encourages us to attain depth in our walk of faith by adding to our knowledge, self-control and to self- control, patience (2 Peter 1:5-6). Also, Apostle Paul instructs Timothy of the qualities of a leader where he emphasized self-control as being a requirement (1 Timothy 3:2). It is a character trait that is considered as much more value than a show of strength. (Proverbs 16:32).
By exercising self-control, you are valuing the greater and eternal good of pleasing God over immediate gratification. Therefore, to grow in this fruit of the spirit, you must feed your spirit through prayer, study of the word, and yielding to God’s Spirit in you.
Dear Believer, take a moment to assess your “walls.” Are there places where self-control has broken down? Ask for God’s strength to rebuild, knowing that every choice rooted in discipline draws you closer to becoming who He created you to be.
Bible Reading Plan: Job 4-6; Luke 22:54-23:12