Egkrateia (eng-krat’-i-ah) is the Greek word translated “self-control” and means continence, temperance, self control. Self-control is the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites. It defines a person who has strength from within.
Self control is having our passions and appetites reigned in. It is passing up temptations of over indulgence. Self control is calmness under pressure and strength under temptation. It is not eating that 2nd piece of fudge when everything in you cries out for more, more, more. It is counting to 28 or 208 when you children have annoyed and frustrated you for the umpteenth time; it is remembering why you love your spouse and what he means to you in those difficult times, and not allowing temptation to carry you into the arms of another.
Self control is choosing to think good thoughts over bad; it is choosing to give understanding and grace instead of condemnation and retaliation. It is choosing to turn off the T.V. and spend time with your children, your spouse or both. It is choosing to spend time with God through Bible reading, devotions and prayer. Self control is meeting commitments. It is being there when you say you will be there, it is being on time and not late. Self control is giving 8 hours work for 8 hours pay.
Self control is intertwined with love, joy, peace, patience and the others. Picture a box made of love, with all the components making up the wrapping and then tied together with the ribbon of self control. Self-control keeps it all together. It is difficult to love another with out self control. I can have the desire to love, but it is Self-control that helps me see it through, to hang in there when people aren't always so loveable; It is difficult to possess joy and peace when we are bouncing all over the place due to lack of time spent with Jesus and poor planning to the point our lives are out of control, filled to the brim with busyness. It is difficult to offer patience and kindness to another, if we are out of control in our anger and so filled with self that we don’t care!It is virtually impossible to have hang-in-there faith, and just take it gentleness with out a strong measure of self control. Self control like all the other components is matured as we stay connected too, and abide in the True Vine, Jesus; as we surrender completely to the will of the Holy Spirit.
Self Control is an interesting component as you can experience self control in one area and lack it completely in another. Such as, we may be disciplined in our work or our jobs, yet at home everything is in total disarray. We may be disciplined, have self-control in our eating, yet our spending is out of control. Our temper with others may never flare, but with our children and family we rage. We may be disciplined in our daily Bible reading, and yet our prayer life is hit-and-miss or non existent. When the component of Self Control is being matured by the Holy Spirit, not just one or two areas will be in control, eventually we will have self control in all areas. Eventually we will be able to say I am a disciplined person, the Holy Spirit has matured this area of my life. How I pray for that day!
I am posting for Marian...Please continue to keep Marian in your prayers as she is still having a great deal of problems regarding her dizziness.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Gentleness, is a hard question to answer as there are so many parts to gentleness. So I said gentleness is to be in control of your reaction to emotional situations, to be responsible for you actions and to put yourself in the other persons shoes before acting. Then acting in a God like way.
I said the color would be green because it is a neutral type color that is sort of behind the scenes but it enhances the many facets of the colors that make up gentleness.
Sometimes I wish you graded our papers so we could know what you really think and then at other times like this hard question I am glad I don't know.
Love Marian
Marian.... If I were grading peoples comments.... You would all get "A". It has been so exciting to read the comments and emails and to get just a glimpse of how God is working in everyone's lives through the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteIf you were all grading me I wonder what grade I would get as a teacher?
I have learned so much in preparing these lessons. I have learned just how much more growth can take place in my life... and needs to take place. I wish there was someway to impart the fullness of what I have received these past 12 weeks. I only pray I imparted something of value to all of you.
Have a great day.....Be Encouraged and "Keep Believing" God for healing. I so believe there is an answer to your health challenge and it is just around the corner, God has not forgotten you!
Love and Hugs, Me