Self-Control
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23 NIV). I often think about the fruit of the spirit which is the character and nature of our Lord. A lack of self-control is rampant in our society today. People are blaming others as being the root of their lost tempers and uncontrolled actions. But the truth is we are all responsible for our own actions.
It’s so easy to misplace blame instead of taking accountability for our actions. Many adults are like children, they have the numerical age but not the maturity. They are a joy to be around until an unseen button is pushed. Then the air thickens and you need to walk on eggshells. Being around people with temper issues reinforces that attitude of no self-control with the fuse under cover until you hit their miserable button. These explosions can come from unseen trauma, offenses, or mental or emotional buildup that haven’t been released. At times a person may have something against another, so they close themselves off to those around them or try to control others with their temper. MASKING FEELINGS only makes things worse. It’s good to bring closure to each situation if at all possible.
Political leaders of his day tried to offend Jesus but His response was: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph 4:26-27 NIV). Although anger in and of itself is not sinful, there is the upmost danger of it becoming so if a person is not carefully watched and speedily suppressed; the sin of bitterness and wrath will take over and eat at you like cancer. Wrath is an intense emotional state of resentment induced by displeasure, often with a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.
Always try to reconcile to the one that you are angry with. Be reconciled to the offender and let all be well again. And if your anger turns into wrath and bitterness of spirit, see to it that you release it speedily. Therefore, though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it rests only in the bosom of fools. (Proverbs 29:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9)
It’s so easy to misplace blame instead of taking accountability for our actions. Many adults are like children, they have the numerical age but not the maturity. They are a joy to be around until an unseen button is pushed. Then the air thickens and you need to walk on eggshells. Being around people with temper issues reinforces that attitude of no self-control with the fuse under cover until you hit their miserable button. These explosions can come from unseen trauma, offenses, or mental or emotional buildup that haven’t been released. At times a person may have something against another, so they close themselves off to those around them or try to control others with their temper. MASKING FEELINGS only makes things worse. It’s good to bring closure to each situation if at all possible.
Political leaders of his day tried to offend Jesus but His response was: “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Eph 4:26-27 NIV). Although anger in and of itself is not sinful, there is the upmost danger of it becoming so if a person is not carefully watched and speedily suppressed; the sin of bitterness and wrath will take over and eat at you like cancer. Wrath is an intense emotional state of resentment induced by displeasure, often with a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.
Always try to reconcile to the one that you are angry with. Be reconciled to the offender and let all be well again. And if your anger turns into wrath and bitterness of spirit, see to it that you release it speedily. Therefore, though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it rests only in the bosom of fools. (Proverbs 29:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9)