Developing SelfControl

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Developing Self-Control

• The Power To Change Your Life

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Developing self-control

• Why do we need self-control?
• Examples of people without self-control
• The cook who killed his supervisor at Soup Spoon
• Rich people who shop lift
• Driver who shot another driver in USA
• Samson
• People with self-control
• David

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Developing self-control

• Greek word for self-control is egkrateia which
  means restraining passions and appetites
• The opposite is akrasia which means excess,
  self-indulgence
• Sexual immorality sex out of control
• Wrath anger out of control
• Drunkenness appetite out of control
• Gossips, lies, boasts, curse mouth out of
  control

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Why do we need self-control?

• Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man
  who lacks self-control. (Prov 2528)
• Many of our problems are caused by lack of
  self-control.
• Self-control brings a good feeling of competency,
  confidence and inner sense of security.
• Self-control and self-discipline are the key
  qualities each of us must have in order to
  achieve anything in life.

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 1 - Admit your problem
• James 114 says, Every man is tempted, when he
  is drawn away of his own desires and enticed.
• This means that we like to do things because we
  like to. When we do something we know is bad for
  us, we still do it because we like to do it, we
  want to do it, its an inner desire.
• We are responsible for our behaviour.
• If we have a problem, we must admit

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 2 - Put the past behind
• Paul says in Phil 313-14 Forgetting what is
  behind and straining toward what is ahead, I
  press on toward the goal.
• Once a failure, always a failure
  Misconception
• Focusing on past failures will guarantee a
  repetition

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 3 - Talk back to your feelings
• We tend to put too much emphasis on our feelings.
  
• Ask yourself, how many times you let your moods
  manipulate you?
• God doesnt want us to be controlled by our
  feelings. He wants us to master our moods
• With Christ as our master of our lives, we can
  master our feelings.
• For the grace of God teaches us to say no to
  ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
  self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this
  present age. (Titus 211-12)

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 4 - Believe You Can Change
• Our behaviour is always controlled by what we
  believe.
• The way we think determines the way we feel and
  the way we feel determines the way we act.
• Romans 122 tells us do not be conform any
  longer to the pattern of this world but be
  transformed by the renewing of your mind.
• We can be transformed only by the renewing of our
  mind
• 1 Cor 1013 says God is faithful He will not
  let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
  when you are tempted, He will provide a way out
  so that you can stand up under it.
• We need to focus on Gods positive promises of
  help and strength.
• Phil 413 says, I can do all things through
  Christ who strengthens me.(NKJV)
• Remember that Jesus says Everything is possible
  for him who believes (Mark 923)

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 5 - Make Yourself Accountable To Someone
• Find someone who will check up on you, who will
  pray for you and who will encourage you in the
  areas you want to develop self-control
• Ecclesiastes 412 Though one may be overpowered
  by another, two can withstand him.
• Gal 62 Bear one anothers burden, and so
  fulfill the law of Christ.
• How do you look for a buddy?
• Let you buddy check on you from time to time

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 6 - Avoid Temptation
• Avoid the things that will tempt you
• Eph 427 says, Do not give the devil a
  foothold.
• Avoid people and situations that will tempt you
  to give up self-control.

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Developing self-control in 7 steps

• Step 7 - Depend on Christs Power
• If we want to develop self-control, learn to
  depend on Christs power
• Let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will
  not satisfy the desires of the human nature.
  Galations 516
• God asks us to let Him into our lives and let the
  Holy Spirit control our lives while were
  struggling with the problems.
• Many people may know where they lack
  self-control, they know what they did is wrong,
  but still like doing it.
• It means sin is fun at least for a while.
• None of us would sin if sin immediately made us
  miserable.
• For God who works in you to will and to act
  according to his good purpose. Phil 213
• This verse tells us that God not only gives us
  the desire to do what is right but He also gives
  us the power to do what is right

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Developing self-control

• In what areas in your life do you have a hard
  time saying no?
• Do you have a hard time saying no to food?
• Do you have a hard time saying no to excessive
  spending?
• Do you have a hard time saying no to alcohol?
  Drugs? Cigarettes? Elicit sex?
• Do you have control over your passions?
• Do you have self-control over your mouth?
• Self-control does not develop from rules, it
  develops when we listen to the Holy Spirit inside
  us