This audio recording is from the 8:30AM service due to recording issues with the 11AM service.
Proverbs wants us to see that self-control is a wisdom issue that reveals your true strength, the real moral fiber of your heart, the ultimate god to which you bow down.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
And he who rules his spirit better then he who captures a city. 16:32
* It’s true economically 21:17
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man, he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
* It’s true physically 25:16
Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, lest you have it in excess and vomit it.
* It’s true socially 23:1-2
When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite.
Most important of all:
* It’s true spiritually 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
What does it mean that the walls of the city are broken down? It indicates the city is: Defenseless- Lost its identity- Lost civility and order-
A. What is self-control?
It is the ability to choose the most important thing over the urgent; the wisdom to be ruled by principle versus feeling or impression or appearances; the ethical sight to determine what is best for your soul at all times, rather than what might seem good at any given time. Self-control is the inner fortitude to choose the godly goal and ditch anything else competing with it. When you lose self-control, you always settle for less than the best.
Self-control may be Active or Passive
B. Why is self-control such a struggle?
Galatians 5:16f explains how a war is raging inside of us:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
B. How do we grow in this grace?
Prov. 25:28: “Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.”
1. Who is king in the city? Who rules your heart?
2. How does the king rule the city?
3. How does the Spirit keep your heart strong?
Self-control is a function of what rules your mind.
Principle #1: Don’t believe everything you tell yourself.
“Don’t be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” Romans 12:1
Principle #2: Challenge your thoughts as to their veracity, truthfulness.
We are destroying every speculation raised up against the knowledge of God and are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor.10
Principle #3: Become so well-acquainted with God’s word that you begin to think with increasing conformity to it.
If you abide in My word, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Jn.8;34
Consider some examples:
Athletic competition:
A tight budget:
Feeling lonely and unappreciated:
You feel fearful:
C. What is the method of self-control?
Let us cast aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Heb.12:2)
