No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
In a culture filled with moral depravity and sin-induced pressures, Paul gave us some strong encouragement to the Corinthians. God is able to help us resist temptations by:
Self-control in the middle of temptation will cause us to make the correct decision not to fall into sin.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. – Proverbs 25:28 ESV
When this verse was written, a city would have walls and it would protect the residents of that city from attacks. Though it would limit how the residents enter and exit the city, it still served a greater good. The same way self-control limits us to ensure that we are safe from external pressures and our own self destructive decisions. An out of control life is open to all sorts of attacks from the enemy.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
Another word for self-control is discipline. We are able to be disciplined because the Holy Spirit lives in us. When you decide to follow his leading you will develop more of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Living a disciplined life is knowing what we are going to do and what we are not going to do and where to draw the line.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. – Proverbs 16:32 ESV
Success in business, school or home life can be ruined by a person who has lost self-control. It’s a great personal victory to control your temper when you are angry. Just remember that losing control over your temper can cause more serious consequences in your life given the wrong scenario.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Be self-controlled not to allow yourself to be placed in a position where you are vulnerable for the enemy to attack you. We all need to be diligent and disciplined to reading our bible and praying every day so that this doesn’t happen. I try not to be distracted to drawn away to do other things when I should be in the Word of God.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-control, and preparation. Just like an athlete would sacrifice certain things to perform the best at their sport, we need to exercise self-control to be a successful Christian.
Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. – Titus 1:7-8
Paul briefly describes some qualifications that the elders or overseers should have. Notice that most of these qualifications require character. Greater than knowledge of Gods word, a persons ability to live God’s word is important if you are to be a leader in his church. As you read and study, the holy spirit will teach you. But you must be self-controlled in your behaviour first.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. – James 1:19-21
These verses speak of anger that erupts when our egos are bruised. Selfish anger never helps anyone and we need to be self-controlled and recognize the situation in order to act accordingly.
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-13
Freedom is a mark of the Christian faith – Freedom from sin, guilt and freedom to use and enjoy anything that comes from God. But Christians should not abuse this freedom and hurt themselves or others. Be careful that what God has allowed you to enjoy doesn’t grow into a bad habit and controls you. You need to exercise self-control in those areas.