Supplies for our Faith (Self-Control)

A person with self-control is one we should desire to be. It is a person who has control of their emotions and is able to manage them in a way that promotes peace and the gospel. Let’s look at what the Bible says about self control. 

Proverbs mentions this a couple times. Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” If we have a city with broken walls, the walls are useless. Walls are used to defend the city but if they are broken they no longer fulfill their purpose, they are useless. Solomon considers one who lacks self-control to be like a broken wall. The person does know their purpose and they will not be able to fulfill God’s purpose for themselves because they cannot control themselves. They won’t be able to discern between God’s will and the way of the world. 

We also know that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, it comes only as a result of having the Spirit dwelling within us. The world says we do not need control and we can go after any desire we have but the Spirit tells us to discern and judge what is right. 

When Peter is discussing these attributes we should have along with our faith, self-control. We add to our faith goodness, knowledge, and along with knowledge to do right, should be the ability to control our flesh desires and do the right thing. This should be an attribute we strive for and if we have the Spirit, we should be prayerful that we are able to exercise it.