“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)
Where do you lack self-control in your life? When you live according to our impulses, you open the door to pain and heartache. Self-control protects you from harm and allows you to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
Without self-control, you will be mastered by your moods, which wildly swing back and forth. God gave you emotions, but you can’t be mastered by them. It is better to live by your values and commitments, which means doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it.
When you develop self-control, you are able to restrain your reactions. You won’t be careless with your words because you’ll think before you speak. When others gossip, your self-control will keep you from joining in. When the Little League umpire makes a bad call, you won’t yell at him like it’s the last game in the World Series.
Without self-control, your schedule will be managed by your opportunities and not your priorities. If you don’t determine how your time is spent, other people will decide for you. Your time is important because once it’s gone, you’ll never get it back.
Managing your finances with self-control is critical for a well-lived life. When you are disciplined enough to live on less than what you earn, you can invest the difference. The power of your budget is that you get to tell your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went.
These aren’t the only areas of life where self-control is needed. Take some time to talk to God about this issue and ask him to reveal where you need to develop greater self-discipline. A city without walls is defenseless against enemies. Self-control will protect your life.
Self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, and Jesus makes it clear that without Him we are powerless. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to obey God’s commands, which require self-control. These are all critical concepts that folks need to understand to really apply this advice.