In the Bible, self-control or temperance is one of the manifestations of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. In general terms, having self-control is knowing how to control oneself. However, in the Bible it has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us, the more we grow in the area of self-control..
Galatians 5:16-25 expresses that idea very well. Within every believer there is a struggle between the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit-filled life. The sinful life is characterized by disorder, immorality, the satisfaction of the flesh. Life in the Spirit reflects the fruit of the Holy Spirit and self-control is one of the components of that fruit.
The biblical meaning of self-control
The biblical term self-control refers to the virtue of being able to control our impulses and our emotions. By exercising self-control we show that thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit in us we have authority over our flesh. That spiritual authority gives us the strength to obey God in all areas of our lives.
The Bible offers us various synonyms or explanatory phrases that help us better understand the concept of “self-control.” Let’s see some of them.
Have patience:
It is better to be patient than brave; Self-control is better than conquering cities.
(Proverbs 16:32)
Be sober (be temperate or moderate):
The end of all things is near. So to pray well, stay sober and clear-headed.
(1 Peter 4:7)
Quality that makes us grow in the knowledge of the Lord:
Thus God has given us his precious and magnificent promises so that you, after escaping from the corruption that is in the world due to evil desires, may come to have a part in the divine nature.
Precisely for this reason, strive to add virtue to your faith; to his virtue, understanding; to understanding, self-control; to self-control, constancy; to constancy, devotion to God; to devotion to God, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, love. Because these qualities, if they abound in you, will make you grow in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and will prevent you from being useless and unproductive.
(2 Peter 1:4-8)
To be disciplined:
Don’t you know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one gets the prize? Run, then, in such a way that they get it. All athletes train with a lot of discipline. They do it to get a prize that is spoiled; us, instead, for one that lasts forever. So I don’t run like someone who doesn’t have a goal; I don’t fight like someone who punches the air. Rather, I beat my body and dominate it, lest, having preached to others, I myself be disqualified.
(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
Know how to control the body and live in a holy way:
God’s will is that they be sanctified; that they turn away from sexual immorality; that each one learn to control his own body in a holy and honorable way, without being carried away by evil desires as the pagans do, who do not know God.
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
Be careful in the use of words; know how to tame the tongue:
He who understands restrains his words; he who is prudent controls his impulses.
(Proverbs 17:27)
See also: Proverbs 10:19; James 1:26 and James 3:7-10.
maintain sanity:
We must not, therefore, fall asleep like the others, but remain alert and in our right mind.
(1 Thessalonians 5:6)
Ignore the insult or offenses:
The fool shows his anger at once, but the wise ignore the insult.
(Proverbs 12:16)
Turn away from sinful desires:
Dear brothers, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims in this world to turn away from the sinful desires that fight against life.
(1 Peter 2:11)
Growing on your own
How can we grow in the area of self-control? ¡Filling ourselves more each day with the Holy Spirit! If we try to overcome carnal desires by our own strength it will be a heavy burden and sooner or later we will get discouraged. But if we seek God every day and have the Holy Spirit as our guide and companion, we will see real changes and gain victories.
So I say to you: Live by the Spirit, and you will not follow the desires of the sinful nature.
(Galatians 5:16)
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-control.
(2 Timothy 1:7)
However, to achieve more self-control we also need to desire it and work hard. Remember that as long as we are here on Earth, we are in a spiritual battle. There are spiritual forces that seek to tempt us into failure (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore, it must be a priority to seek God every day. By filling ourselves with him and his power he will teach us to reject everything that is not to his liking and we will exercise self-control.
In truth, God has manifested his grace to all humanity, which brings salvation and teaches us to reject impiety and worldly passions. Thus we will be able to live in this world with justice, mercy and self-control, while we await the blessed hope, that is, the glorious coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
(Titus 2:11-13)
How to Use Self-Control According to the Bible
The Bible teaches us to use self-control in specific areas. Let’s see some of them:
- To resist the temptation
You have not suffered any temptation that is not common to mankind. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can bear. Rather, when temptation comes, he will also give you a way out so that you can resist.
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
God helps us to wait for the way out that he will give us to resist temptation. What is it for us to do? Wait attentively with faith clinging to the Lord.
- To control our character
As a city without defense and without walls, it is the one who does not know how to control himself.
(Proverbs 25:28)
The fool shows his anger at once, but the wise ignore the insult.
(Proverbs 12:16)
Self-control helps us to control ourselves, not to let ourselves be carried away by our impulses. Instead of reacting immediately, we take time to analyze the situation trying to see God’s perspective and the other person’s perspective.
- To monitor our emotions
“If you are angry, do not sin.” Do not allow your anger to last until sunset, nor give room to the devil.
(Ephesians 4:26-27)
The fool gives free rein to his anger, but the wise man knows how to control it.
(Proverbs 29:11)
My dear brothers, keep this in mind: Everyone must be ready to listen, and slow to speak and slow to get angry; for human anger does not produce the just life that God wants.
(James 1:19-20)
Our emotions can play tricks on us if we give them free rein, and the devil takes advantage of that. Let us keep our emotions under the dominion of the Lord. Let’s take our frustrations before the Lord. Let us ask him to help us receive peace from him in the midst of the situation we are facing so that we can act according to his will.
- To guard our words
Por eso quiero hacer las cosas con Calma y poder terminar Los trabajos pendientes; he that is wise bridle his tongue.
(Proverbs 10:19)
If someone thinks he is religious, but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives himself, and his religion is useless.
(James 1:26)
The human being knows how to tame and, in fact, has tamed all kinds of beasts, birds, reptiles and sea beasts; but no one can tame the tongue. It is an irrepressible evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, created in the image of God. From the same mouth come blessing and curse. My brothers, this should not be like this.
(James 3:7-10)
It is important to watch that our words serve to edify and bless other people. We must ask God to always guard our speech.
- To lead a full sexual life
Do not deny each other, unless by mutual agreement, and only for a time, to dedicate yourself to prayer. Don’t be long in coming together again; Otherwise, they may fall into the temptation of Satan, due to lack of self-control.
(1 Corinthians 7:5)
I say to singles and widows that it would be better if they stayed like me. But, if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, because it is preferable to marry than to burn with passion.
(1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
Regardless of our marital status, the Bible tells us how to lead a healthy sexual life, guided by God. There are many sexual temptations that come our way in life, and the self-control that comes from God helps us stay faithful by honoring him.
- To moderate food and drink intake
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the body, you also assume the same attitude; because he who has suffered in the body has broken with sin, to live the rest of his earthly life not satisfying his human passions, but fulfilling the will of God. Well, enough is enough with the time they have wasted doing what pleases the unbelievers, given over to debauchery, passions, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and abominable idolatry.
(1 Peter 4:1-3)
Do not associate with those who drink a lot of wine, nor with those who gorge themselves on meat, because drunk and gluttonous, because of their indolence, they end up ragged and poor.
(Proverbs 23:20-21)
If you are given to gluttony, control your appetite.
(Proverbs 23:2)
As human beings we need to eat food and drink water to survive. But in modern society, on many occasions, people eat and drink for pleasure and in an uncontrolled way. This does not please God.
There are also people who use food and drink as an emotional outlet. We must learn to bring our emotional needs before God and ask him to help us have a healthy relationship with food and drink.
Self-control helps us in these and many other areas of life. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to fill us more each day and live victorious lives for the glory of God.
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