Posts tagged self control
Self-control over what you look at

“The eye is the light of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matt. 6:22-23 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. I am doing a short series discussing things that God has given us the ability to control. Here is another one.

You can have self-control of what you look at

Even though it’s not possible to avoid all the visual evil that is in the world, it’s all around us, you can avoid much of it in many respects, by choosing what you look at, including things like TV, movies, the Internet, video games, books and magazines. It’s about making wise viewing choices.

Make a conscious decision to NOT allow yourself to look at evil things

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” (Psalm 101:3)

You can and should make a “what I will not look at” commitment

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1 NASB)

There’s a connection between the eye and the heart

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28)

Ask God to help you have the eyes of your heart enlightened

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”  (Eph. 1:16-21)

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18)

Quotes:

“The eyes are the gateway to the soul.” – Herman Melville

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mike Frenchbible promises, self control, self control about what you liok at
Self-control over fear!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. I am doing a short series discussing things that God has given us the ability to control. Here is another one.

You can have self-control over fear, i.e. terror, fright, fearfulness, alarm, panic, dread, dismay, anxiety, worry, foreboding.

Fear is not from God

  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

Don’t be anxious about anything! But, in every situation do these 3 things:

1) Pray

2) Petition God with your requests

3) Thank Him

And, in Christ Jesus, He will do these 3 wonderful things for you:

1) He will give you the peace that transcends understanding.

2) He will guard your heart.

3) He will guard your mind.

Here is the Bible verse that says it clearly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

God’s promises about fear

“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Note: The Bible says “do not fear” 365 times, one for each day of the year! It is a command that God truly wants you to understand. You must exert self-control over all fear! You can control it! Do NOT let the devil tell you otherwise!

Quotes:

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

Mike Frenchbible promises, self control, fear
Self-control over love!

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. I am doing a short series discussing things that God has given us the ability to control. Here is another one.

You can have self-control over love

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48)

The Bible tells us what love is.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:4-5)

Love is from God

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

We love others because God loves us

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

We are also commanded to love others

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom. 12:10)

Quotes:

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?” – Mother Teresa

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” – Jesus Christ

Mike Frenchbible promises, self control, love
Self-control over Relationships

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. I am doing a short series discussing things that God has given us the ability to control.

You can have self-control of your relationships, i.e. who you choose to spend the most time with.

Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and how we should choose them. We are not to associate with any who entice us to do wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Avoid those whose “feet rush to sin.” Their sinful path is no place for a Christian to follow, whose choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.” Only that path leads to friendship with God, which is the ultimate goal of a Christian.

Being yoked together with unbelievers is not compatible

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14)

Having unreliable friends will ruin you

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24)

Having wicked friends will lead you astray

“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26)

Having bad company will ruin your morals

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33)

Having wise friends will help you become wise

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Prov. 13:20)

Having wise friends strengthens and sharpens you

“A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.” (Prov. 24:5)

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17)

Quote:

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.” – John Wooden

Mike Frenchbible promises, self control, relationships