Introduction:• Self-Control is vitally important to the Self-Control is vitally important to the

Christian’s life. It must be added to the Christian’s life. It must be added to the foundation of faith. foundation of faith. 2 Peter 1:5-62 Peter 1:5-6

• Those who have been buried with Christ in Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism must not allow evil again to be baptism must not allow evil again to be their master. their master. Romans 6:3-4; 12-13Romans 6:3-4; 12-13

• Self-control makes it possible for man to Self-control makes it possible for man to fulfill his responsibility for what he does in fulfill his responsibility for what he does in his body.his body.

TEM'PERANCETEM'PERANCE, n. [L. temperantia, from tempero.], n. [L. temperantia, from tempero.]

1.1.Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.

2.2.Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion. passion. -Webster’s Dictionary-Webster’s Dictionary

Importance of Self-ControlImportance of Self-Control

• We need to understand the importance of We need to understand the importance of self-control. self-control. Romans 8:13 Romans 8:13

• Self-control is the ability to discipline and Self-control is the ability to discipline and control our life under Jesus Christ as Lord.control our life under Jesus Christ as Lord.

• We gain it by knowledge, prayer, and We gain it by knowledge, prayer, and exercising the Christian faith. exercising the Christian faith. Col. 1:9-11Col. 1:9-11

• In order to make this work the Christian In order to make this work the Christian must develop the wisdom and knowledge to must develop the wisdom and knowledge to discern between good and evil and the discern between good and evil and the strength to choose to do right. strength to choose to do right. Heb. 5:14Heb. 5:14

How To Gain Self-ControlHow To Gain Self-Control

• Decide to crucify (put aside) our desires Decide to crucify (put aside) our desires and follow the Lord every day. and follow the Lord every day. Luke 9:23Luke 9:23

• It grows out of crucifying the fleshly desires. It grows out of crucifying the fleshly desires. Galatians 5:24-25Galatians 5:24-25

• This giving up of our sinful practices and This giving up of our sinful practices and bringing ourselves under Christ’s control bringing ourselves under Christ’s control can be called a crucifixion. can be called a crucifixion. Galatians 2:20Galatians 2:20

• We all should be motivated to self-control We all should be motivated to self-control by our personal responsibility and by our personal responsibility and accountability at the Judgment. accountability at the Judgment. 2 Cor. 5:102 Cor. 5:10

When Self-Control Is AbsentWhen Self-Control Is Absent• Eve will look at and eat the forbidden fruit. Eve will look at and eat the forbidden fruit.

Genesis 3:6Genesis 3:6

• Achan will take silver and gold and more Achan will take silver and gold and more which did not belong to him from Jericho. which did not belong to him from Jericho. Joshua 7:21 Joshua 7:21

• David will look, lust, and fornicate with David will look, lust, and fornicate with Bathsheba. Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11:2-42 Samuel 11:2-4

• A lack of self-control always leads to A lack of self-control always leads to spiritual hurt. spiritual hurt. Romans 6:23Romans 6:23

When Self-Control Is When Self-Control Is PracticedPracticed• Like Paul, we can be great servants of Like Paul, we can be great servants of

God. God. 1 Corinthians 9:25, 271 Corinthians 9:25, 27

• Joseph avoided being a fornicator with Joseph avoided being a fornicator with Potiphar’s wife. Potiphar’s wife. Genesis 39:7-9Genesis 39:7-9

• When self-control is present men possess When self-control is present men possess one of the qualities needed for leadership one of the qualities needed for leadership in the Lord’s church. in the Lord’s church. Titus 1:8Titus 1:8

• When it is present in any Christian we When it is present in any Christian we possess one of the fruits of the Spirit. possess one of the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:23Galatians 5:23

Christians We Must Practice Christians We Must Practice Self-Control!Self-Control!

• It must be practiced in good and right It must be practiced in good and right things:things:– Eating… Eating… Proverbs 25:16Proverbs 25:16

– Pleasure… Pleasure… Luke 8:14Luke 8:14

– Work… Work… Luke 10:40-42Luke 10:40-42

– Sleep… Sleep… Prov. 20:13Prov. 20:13

Christians We Must Practice Christians We Must Practice Self-Control!Self-Control!

• It must be practiced to completely abstain It must be practiced to completely abstain from:from:– Fornication… Fornication… 1 Corinthians 6:181 Corinthians 6:18

– Lying… Lying… Colossians 3:9Colossians 3:9

– Gambling… Gambling… Ephesians 5:5Ephesians 5:5

– Drunkenness… Drunkenness… Ephesians 5:18Ephesians 5:18

– Stealing… Stealing… Ephesians 4:28Ephesians 4:28

Christians We Must Practice Christians We Must Practice Self-Control!Self-Control!

• We need to control our temper. We need to control our temper. Prov. 14:29Prov. 14:29• The tongue must be controlled. The tongue must be controlled. James 1:26James 1:26• No one will be blessed with that abundant No one will be blessed with that abundant

entrance into heaven who does not practice entrance into heaven who does not practice self-control. self-control. 2 Peter 1:10-112 Peter 1:10-11

• Self–Control results from bringing our thoughts Self–Control results from bringing our thoughts into the captivity of Christ. into the captivity of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5 2 Cor. 10:5

• Do you have self under control?Do you have self under control?

Control Yourself ToControl Yourself ToBe Saved In Christ!Be Saved In Christ!

• Those who do the Lord’s commandments Those who do the Lord’s commandments will be blessed with entrance into heaven. will be blessed with entrance into heaven. Revelation 22:14Revelation 22:14

• To be saved and become a Christian…To be saved and become a Christian…– You must hear the gospel. You must hear the gospel. Rom. 10:17Rom. 10:17– Believe in Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Mark 16:16Mark 16:16– Repent of sins. Repent of sins. Acts 17:30Acts 17:30– Confess faith in Christ. Confess faith in Christ. Rom. 10:9-10Rom. 10:9-10– Be baptized to be saved. Be baptized to be saved. Acts 22:16Acts 22:16– After baptism you must remain faithful to God. After baptism you must remain faithful to God.

Revelation 2:10Revelation 2:10