Self-Control

This is the lesson I prepared for today's tutoring Bible lesson. I need it.

Self-Control

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. – Proverbs 29:11

Self-Control transforms your:

Feelings

*        Angry                       to               Calm

*        Impatient                  to               Patient

*        Defensive                 to               Teachable

Thoughts

*        Fearful                      to               Trusting

*        Evil                           to               Upright

*        Hateful                     to               Peaceful

Words

*        Hasty                        to               Thoughtful

*        Angry                       to               Gentle

*        Unkind                     to               Kind

*        Destructive               to               Encouraging

Actions

*        Impulsive                 to               Careful

*        Hurtful                     to               Helpful

*        Lazy                         to               Diligent

*        Violent                     to               Meek

What flows naturally out of our hearts and minds is harmful to us and to others. When we control what flows out of us, we help ourselves and others. More importantly, the things that we need to control are the things that God tells us to put off in order to become more like Jesus. When we put off these things, we need to put on things that look like Jesus.

“...put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” - Eph 4:22-24

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator....Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” - Col 3:5-14