EXERCISING SELF CONTROL

 EXERCISING SELF CONTROL 

Proverbs 25:28 KJV

[28] He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

What does ruling over your spirit mean to you? This is talking about self control. Self control is self restraint and self discipline. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Everybody needs self control. We need to learn how to deal kindly with people and respond to harsh words with tenderness. The Bible considers someone who has control over his own spirit better than the person who conquers a city. We easily identify people who don’t have control over their spirit when they are offended, criticized, attacked or challenged. Some people are easily offended. Offenses will always come but we have to be in charge of our reactions. The Bible says whoever is slow to wrath has great understanding. An example is the reaction of some drivers when another motorist drive rough beside them. They probably want to teach the person a lesson, make ungodly utterance or try to get back at the person or even fight. Exercising self control is very vital in every aspect of life. This has to do with what we do and what we say. One of the major challenges in controlling our spirit is our outburst when we’re angry. That is the focus of the article.

Proverbs 21:23 KJV

[23] Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 

We need to choose our words carefully irrespective of the situation we’re faced with. We can mar people with our words. Don’t talk when you are angry. And don’t say what you don’t mean. Words are like eggs, when you break them, you can’t put them back together. We need to set a guard over our mouth and ask the Lord to keep the door of our lips. It is possible to be angry and not sin. Some people say unprintable things when they are angry. It is what is in the head when there’s no wine that comes out when there’s wine. You can’t say what’s not in you. Some relationships have been strained because of words. James 1:26 NLT

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

Your words also affect your faith. You are to exercise caution when you speak. You are an ambassador of Christ. A good tree will always produce good fruits. Always remember that anyone without self control is like a city without walls that gives room to invaders to destroy the beautiful things in the city. Don’t hide under the auspices that it is your weakness. It is a dangerous weakness. Work on it. Shalom.

Folake Olukoyede