Week 5 of the sermon series: “The Effective Life”
Bible passage: 2 Peter 1:5-6
Self-Control deserves Priority
- Adam & Eve sinned by yielding to Satan’s temptations
- Cain murdered Able because of his anger
- Moses struggled with anger which resulted in God prohibiting him from entering Promised Land
- Samson couldn’t control his passions and lusts and ended up losing his supernatural strength, being blinded and eventually losing his life
- David’s lack of self-control led to adultery and murder
- Jesus addressed self-control for His would-be followers: Matthew 16:24,26
- Paul wrote about self-control in Romans 13:13-14
Truth: Self-Control is evaluating our choices biblically in accordance to God’s will.
Self-Control displays Maturity (Titus 1:12; 1:5; 1:7-8; 2:2; 2:5-6; 2:11-14).
Self-Control deepens Discipline
Self-Control demands a Strategy
- Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help (Galatians 5:16, 19-25)
- Adjust your thoughts (Romans 8:5; Colossians 3:1-2)
- Acquire new habits (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
- Avoid tight spots (Proverbs 16:17)
- Avoiding evil requires forethought.
- Mark Twain said, “It is easier to stay out than get out.”