Definition and Importance: Self-control, often synonymous with temperance, is a virtue that involves the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. It is a critical aspect of Christian character and spiritual maturity, enabling believers to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. Self-control is considered a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 25:28: "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." This proverb highlights the vulnerability and chaos that result from a lack of self-discipline, comparing it to a defenseless city.

2. 1 Corinthians 9:25: "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete to illustrate the necessity of self-control in the Christian life, emphasizing the eternal reward for those who practice it.

3. 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." This verse reassures believers that self-control is part of the divine empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit, enabling them to overcome fear and live boldly.

4. Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." Here, self-control is presented as a response to God's grace, guiding believers to reject sinful desires and live righteously.

Theological Significance: Self-control is integral to sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ. It involves the conscious effort to align one's actions with God's will, resisting the sinful nature and the temptations of the world. Romans 7:18-19 reflects the struggle with self-control: "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do."

Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to cultivate self-control through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. James 1:19-20 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage underscores the importance of self-control in communication and emotional responses.

Role in Community and Leadership: Self-control is essential for maintaining harmony within the Christian community and is a requisite quality for leaders. 1 Timothy 3:2 states, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." Leaders are called to exemplify self-control as a testimony to their faith and as a model for others to follow.

Challenges and Encouragement: While self-control can be challenging, believers are encouraged by the promise of divine assistance. Philippians 4:13 declares, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This assurance empowers Christians to pursue self-control, knowing that they are supported by Christ's strength.1468. egkrates -- strong, master of, self-controlled
... strong, master of, self-controlled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: egkrates
Phonetic Spelling: (eng-krat-ace') Short Definition: self-controlled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1468.htm - 7k

4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... of sound mind, self-controlled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sophron
Phonetic Spelling: (so'-frone) Short Definition: self-controlled, temperate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4998.htm - 8k

3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... etc.). 3525 ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having (clear judgment),
enabling someone to be (self-controlled). 3525 ("uninfluenced ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3525.htm - 7k

Self-Denial and Cross-Bearing.
... had been spent in wickedness; as by way of illustration he who was once licentious
denies his licentious self, having become self-controlled even abidingly. ...
/.../24 self-denial and cross-bearing.htm

Masterful Dying.
... Strong, thoughtful, self-controlled, anticipating every move, He was using
all the strength of His great strong will in yielding. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/masterful dying.htm

Popularity
... It is only he who can be wholly self-controlled amid the triumphs of his Palm Sunday
who can move on with equal self-control to the bearing of the cross with ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lx popularity.htm

Rejected in his Own Country
... of quality, this is only the most extreme and ironical exhibition of what happens
every day, when a noble character, self-denying, self-controlled and wise ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 1-6 rejected in his.htm

On the Feast of a Holy virgin
... reward after the Holy Sacrament. He must be self-controlled in exaltation,
in visions, in contemplation, and so on. Then he ought to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxiv on the feast.htm

Introductory Note
... heresy, and founded an ascetic sect, which, from the rigid principles it professed,
was called that of the Encratites, that is, "The self-controlled," or, "The ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/introductory note.htm

Hebrews vii. 14-Nov
... And how is this anything else than a disgrace and a very great condemnation? Unless
thou give me a reward (says one), I do not become self-controlled. ...
/.../homily xiii hebrews vii 14-nov.htm

Preface.
... At that time Chickka was still a heathen. He was then between forty and fifty years
of age, a grey-headed, resolute, self-controlled looking man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/preface.htm

An Anonymous Sermon, Commonly Called Clement's Second Letter to ...
... acknowledge him by our actions, by loving one another, by refraining from adultery,
backbiting, and jealousy, and by being self-controlled, compassionate, kind ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/an anonymous sermon commonly called 2.htm

The Mother of all Love-Words.
... So there comes, slowly, but as she keeps true to the brooding spirit, surely, the
strong gentle self-controlled life out of the warm womb of her brooding life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the mother of all love-words.htm

Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)
Self-controlled. Self-control, Self-controlled. Self-discipline .
Multi-Version Concordance Self-controlled (9 Occurrences). ...
/s/self-controlled.htm - 8k

Sober (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising
cool, dispassionate reason; self-controlled; self-possessed. ...
/s/sober.htm - 12k

Self-control (14 Occurrences)
Self-control. Selfcontrol, Self-control. Self-controlled . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (See RSV NIV). Selfcontrol, Self-control. Self-controlled . ...
/s/self-control.htm - 11k

Serious-minded (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his ...
/s/serious-minded.htm - 7k

Guests (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his ...
/g/guests.htm - 18k

Opening (242 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his ...
/o/opening.htm - 37k

Freely (101 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his ...
/f/freely.htm - 39k

Loves (97 Occurrences)
... NIV). Titus 1:8 but a lover of strangers, a lover of good men, sober-minded,
righteous, kind, self-controlled, (See NIV). Hebrews ...
/l/loves.htm - 34k

Lover (55 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:8 but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair,
holy, self-controlled; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/l/lover.htm - 24k

Walks (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB). 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the
devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (WEB DBY). ...
/w/walks.htm - 20k

What does the Bible say about self-discipline? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to deny yourself? What is self-denial? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about temperance? | GotQuestions.org

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