Be-Cast Episode 19: BE SELF-CONTROLLED

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THIS WEEK’S VERSES:

“Like a conquered city with no walls, so is a man who has no self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)

“…gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this.” (Galatians 5:23)

 “Again the same applies to women in key positions; they should also be dignified, not backstabbing gossips but self-controlled and faithful to the core.” (1 Timothy 3:11)

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:17)

A MESSAGE FROM AMBER:

I am so excited to be leading for a second time! The longer we do this thing, the more honored I am to be a part of the incredible work that the Lord is doing with BE. And this week is no exception. From Cheez-It’s to losing our temper and everything in between…Self-Control is something we’ve all struggled with at some point or another.

In today’s podcast, we focus on two words in Hebrew and one in Greek that help us to dive a little deeper into God’s meaning of the word Self-Control.

• Ma’tsar which is used in Proverbs 25:28 means simply, restraint, control
• Egkrateia as seen in Galatians 5:23 means inner strength
• Sophroneo from 1 Peter 4:17 means to be of sound mind

It seems from scripture that self control is something that begins in our mind. But Scripture isn’t alone. We looked at a study by Walter Mischel that dealt with delayed gratification or kindergartners.  After an intensive study Mischel said these words, “We can’t control the world, but we can control how we think about it.”

I found a gem while researching this topic in Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself. She talks about 1 Corinthians 6:12 in such a profound way:

“Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, Message)

Beth talks about how the Greek word for mastered is exousiazo. It means “to be ruled by or be under the power of, to be in bondage to.” It’s root word is exousia which means “authority, right and power.”

The bottom line: If you are not exercising self-control then you are in bondage. And, if we’re about anything here at BE… it’s freedom from bondage.

“Like a conquered city with no walls, so is a man who has no self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)

• In ancient times a city without walls was vulnerable to attack.
• Cities with walls represented an impenetrable force.
• Solomon immediately built three structures after he was crowned king:
  • His palace
  • The Temple
  • The walls
• The beautiful thing is that the Holy Spirit dwells in us today. We are the temple.

The key to Self-Control is a strong set of walls. And based on Mischel’s research, these walls are quite literal! Mischel noted that all of the children who had a successful delaying of gratification did so by removing the temptation from their line of sight. Some hid under the table or closed their eyes. In Mischel’s words “They key is to avoid thinking about it in the first place.” (cha-ching!)

READY MADE TWEETS (just click to tweet):

If you’re not in control, then something else is.

The key to Self-Control is a strong set of walls.

You have been equipped with what you need to have a sound mind. Now make good choices.

Self-Control: the key is to avoid thinking about it in the first place!

It warms the cockles of my heart…

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

1. There are things that we put into our mind every day that perpetuate our addictions. The music we listen to or the things we watch are so crucial to the sobering up of our mind. Identify where you’re vulnerable so that you can better reinforce a weakness in your wall.

2. Some tips from our BFF Beth:

• Enlist accountability partners. God gives us relationships for a reason! Ask a friend to hold you accountable.
• Give it to God. Ask Him to help you rebuild your walls. Jesus will hold your hand and walk with you through everything!

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. ( Isaiah 58:12)

DOWNLOADS:

Download the printable, phone wallpaper and Instagram/Pinterest pic here!

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

1. DON’T! The secret of self-control. Check out Jonah Lehrer’s article about Walter Mischel’s experiment in which he places kindergartners in a room with a bowl full of marshmallows. Children who are able to pass the marshmallow test enjoy greater success as adults.

2. Beth Moore’s Living Beyond Yourself. Beth Moore offers an insightful new look at the Fruits of the Spirit. We gained so much from studying her section on Self-Control!

3. Lysa Terkeurst’s Unglued. Lysa TerKeurst admits that she, like most women, has experiences where others bump into her happy and she comes emotionally unglued. We stuff, we explode, or react somewhere in between. What do we do with these raw emotions? Is it really possible to make emotions work for us instead of against us? Yes, and in her usual inspiring and practical way, Lysa will show you how.