What’s the Problem?What’s the Problem?

• Engage in willful sin???

• Caught up in the moment - give in to sin???

• Temper flairs, let words fly???

• Gossip, backbite???

• Just plain lazy???

• Addicted: smoking, gambling, etc.???

Not Controlling Self!

Self-ControlSelf-Control

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mk. 8:34).

Self-Denial Mastering Self

What’s More Important?What’s More Important?

“The worst education which teaches self-denial is better than the best which teaches everything else, and not that” (John Sterling).

Parents: What would you rather have for your children:

A good formal education--but they won’t control themselves?

Or, the worst possible education, but they have self-discipline?

Meaning of Self-ControlMeaning of Self-Control

Egkrateia -- self-control {the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites} (Thayer).

“Saying ‘NO’ to self.” To forget oneself, to lose sight of oneself and one’s own interest (Com. Mark 8:34).

“Self-government” (Thayer). Governing yourself instead of letting some other person, some other desire, some other force control you.

“Literally, get a grip of oneself” (Barclay).

Involves will power, self-motivation: making yourself do what you know you need to do.

Reason Passion

BattlegroundDo What We Know To Be Right

Do What We Desire To Do

Complete Control Unbridled Lusts

Area Between Reason & Passion Is Where the Battle Takes Place

Reason Wins Over Passion = Complete Control

Passion Wins Over Reason = Unbridled Lust

Specific Passages on Self-Control

When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Mark 8:34 - cannot be disciple w/o it!Mark 8:34 - cannot be disciple w/o it!

Acts 24:25 - Paul taught Felix, a non-Christian about it!Acts 24:25 - Paul taught Felix, a non-Christian about it!

Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Specific Passages on Self-Control

“…giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control…”

2 Pet. 1:6 - Can increase self-control!2 Pet. 1:6 - Can increase self-control!

Gal. 5:23 - Following the Spirit’s teaching produces it.Gal. 5:23 - Following the Spirit’s teaching produces it.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

1 Cor. 9:27 - Deny self liberties for the good of others.1 Cor. 9:27 - Deny self liberties for the good of others.

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Specific Passages on Self-Control

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled…

Titus 1:8 - Qualification of EldersTitus 1:8 - Qualification of Elders

Titus 2:2 - Older men are to exhibit self-control.Titus 2:2 - Older men are to exhibit self-control.

That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience.

Passages Implying the Need For Self-Control

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?

Rom. 6:1-2, 12 - Sin must not control us.Rom. 6:1-2, 12 - Sin must not control us.

Gal. 2:20 - Live no longer for self, but for Christ.Gal. 2:20 - Live no longer for self, but for Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Passages Implying the Need For Self-Control

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Eph. 5:24 - Church subject to Christ in everything.Eph. 5:24 - Church subject to Christ in everything.

Any passage forbidding anything teaches self-control.Any passage forbidding anything teaches self-control.

2 Tim. 2:22 - Lust

Eph. 4:24 - Lying

1 Cor. 6:18 - Sexual immorality

Col. 3:5 - Covetousness

Rom. 12:17-21 - Personal vengeance

2 Thess. 3:10 - Laziness

Any passage commanding anything teaches self-control.Any passage commanding anything teaches self-control.

Gal. 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit

2 Pet. 1:5-7 - Spiritual Growth

1 Tim. 2:9-10 - Wearing Modest Clothing

Heb. 10:25 - Assembling with the Saints

1 Cor. 11:19 - Discerning Lord’s Body

1 Pet. 4:9 - Being Hospitable

Eph. 5:25 - Husband, love your wives

Titus 2:4 - Wives love your husbands

Eph. 6:4 - Discipline your children

Mastery of Self: Essential To Many ThingsMastery of Self: Essential To Many Things

Becoming a Christian (Acts 24:25)

Basic Happiness (Matt. 5:3-12)

Unity in the Local Church (Eph. 4:1-3)

Leading a Pure & Godly Life (Titus 2:11-12)

A Happy Marriage (Eph. 5:21-33)

A Faithful, Fulfilled Life (Eccl. 12:13-14)

Temper (Eph. 4:26)Temper (Eph. 4:26)

Words (Jas. 1:19, 26)Words (Jas. 1:19, 26)

Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32)Forgiveness (Eph. 4:32) Thoughts (2 Cor. 10:25)Thoughts (2 Cor. 10:25)

Opinions (Rom. 14:22)Opinions (Rom. 14:22)

Involvement in non-sinful activities: Sports, Entertainment, School ActivitiesInvolvement in non-sinful activities: Sports, Entertainment, School Activities

Associates (1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11)Associates (1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11)Studying Bible (2 Tim. 2:15)Studying Bible (2 Tim. 2:15)