It’s the ability to control one’s emotions and desires, especially in difficult or tempting situations.
For example, it’s almost dinner time but you’re thinking about cookies. Eating a lot of cookies now will spoil your meal, as well as give you a stomachache. Someone with self-control would not eat the cookies and instead wait for their healthy dinner.
Exercising self-control helps our Christian characters. Our first emotion might be anger if someone does something wrong, but with self-control, we might pause and consider being more kind and understanding – because all of us make mistakes. Proverbs (16:32, NKJ) says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
Christians also use self-control to manage their time, possibly giving up things that might bring temporary enjoyment, in exchange for activities that are much more rewarding in the long run. Examples could be spending less time on social media and more time in prayer…less time playing video games and more time reading the Bible and memorizing scriptures.
In biblical times, cities defended themselves from outside attacks by building strong, high walls. Proverbs (25:28, NLT) says, “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”
This means that without self-control, our defenses are down, leaving openings for Satan’s attacks. Those attacks certainly did not work on Jesus and his superior self-control when he was tempted by Satan three times in the wilderness. (See Matthew 4:1-11) Jesus combated every one of Satan’s statements with the scriptures and his strength of character. He is such an excellent example to us!
So, what is self-control? It’s the ability to control our emotions and desires, especially in difficult or tempting situations. Negative emotions can overtake us – like jealousy, impatience and selfishness. We can also be robbed of our time if we fill our days with empty activities that don’t strengthen our relationship with God and Jesus. Let’s ask God to help us build up our self-control – our imaginary city walls – so that we can remain strong in our devotion to living godly lives.