Seven Jewels Of FaithSample

SELF-CONTROL

Self-control means to have full grip or control over oneself. Firm grasp over thoughts, attitude, reason, desires, ambitions, and longings. Our body has to serve the spirit and soul and not vice versa. The body has to be disciplined and brought under absolute control. (I Corinthians 9:27) Instead of listening to the body, a believer should train the body to listen to the soul and spirit. For example, the body would prefer to sleep rather than toil; or the body would prefer feasting in place of fasting. Such preferences and choices should not be entertained.

There is need for self-control in the thought life too. “Mind is a monkey” states a Tamil proverb, meaning the thoughts jump from one to another like a wandering monkey. The mind could stray from godly thoughts to ungodly thoughts. A believer should immediately apply the brake and stop such unwarranted wanderings that lead to sin. “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25: 28) A city without walls means to be exposed to danger, enemy attack and ridicule. If a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ lacks self-control, it means he is in danger of temptation, Satan’s attack and a victim of carnal desires.