Self-control

[dee]

One of the reasons that I wanted to join this site is because I am looking for some practical, Godly input on the issue of self control. Namely, what causes a lack of self control? What are some practical ways to improve in this area.?

Yes, of course, I have begun with Gods word and with prayer but it is leading me deeper because this is such an issue with me right now. If I could be more specific, I would say I lack discipline in many areas of my life like relationships, eating, finances, controlling my emotions.

These things have become such big issues for me that they are negatively affecting my life. I guess I am looking for some concrete ideas that I might put in to place to help me with this. I would very much appreciate any feedback. Dee

 

[stephen]

Dear Sister in Jesus,

Thank you for vising this web-site 'talkjesus' We believe that Jesus is the answer to anything, and everything we have to face in life. You are a family lady, with children. You mention areas of problem.

I humbly suggest to you that you find a Christian Fellowship, where you feel at home, and where you can belong. You need help, (dont we all) and I am praying that you will locate the help you need as you seek to follow the Master.

Praying for you......Life can be tough with Jesus.......I cannot imagine life without Him, or His people.

God Bless

 

[lindadc]

Allow me to quote you , bro Stephen ...
Praying for you......Life can be tough with Jesus.......I cannot imagine life without Him, or His people.

These beautiful words had set in place . Amen , Brother Stephen .
Jesus is our Lord and Master .

 

[dee]

Thank you for responding. I recently have gone back to a church where I had been an active member and enjoyed tremendous fellowship and grew leaps and bounds in my walk with Jesus, for 15 years. I changed churches 5 years ago, for a couple of reasons, mainly to please someone else and while I did learn some and grew a little, deep down I knew where I belonged. So, I have gone back and am very excited about things that are happening with my relationship with God, already!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

One of the reasons that I wanted to join this site is because I am looking for some practical, Godly input on the issue of self control. Namely, what causes a lack of self control? What are some practical ways to improve in this area.?
Yes, of course, I have begun with Gods word and with prayer but it is leading me deeper because this is such an issue with me right now. If I could be more specific, I would say I lack discipline in many areas of my life like relationships, eating, finances, controlling my emotions.
These things have become such big issues for me that they are negatively affecting my life. I guess I am looking for some concrete ideas that I might put in to place to help me with this. I would very much appreciate any feedback. Dee

I believe that lack of self-control is caused by one's paying more attention to the words that Satan whispers in his/her ear than to the Word of God.
A very effective Scripture bullet for me to fire at the enemy has been 2 Cor 10:5c: "And we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus."
SLE

 

[Chad]

Thank you for responding. I recently have gone back to a church where I had been an active member and enjoyed tremendous fellowship and grew leaps and bounds in my walk with Jesus, for 15 years. I changed churches 5 years ago, for a couple of reasons, mainly to please someone else and while I did learn some and grew a little, deep down I knew where I belonged. So, I have gone back and am very excited about things that are happening with my relationship with God, already!

Amen to that sister glad to hear it! Although your praying already, keep this in mind

Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.

As always pray that GOD will guide you and comfort you, grant you strength in Jesus Christ. If your heart is after Him, He will bless you for sure and cure all your problems, according to His will.

 

[Vicente]

I think one of the best ways to get more discipline is simply to practice it like anyhitng else the more you do it the better at doing/being you will become. So here's a sugestion pick some things that you don't really like doing very much that are benificial and do them every chance you get practice making your self do things that you might not want to and when you have to do something that you don't want to you'll already have made a habit of you spirit taking charge over your flesh.

 

[NewInFaith]

Hi Dee,

I am not sure why it happens that we lose certain aspects of self control.

There are some good answers here in this thread already. Seek help from your church, and pray, and keep your faith.

Your list of things you feel you have little control in is big. You mention relationships, finance, eating etc...
It would take a miracle for one person to take control over so many things in the one go. I know that when my thoughts plumet down in a negative spiral, then everything goes along down there with it.

The art is getting out, but the load is too heavy, and drags us down, despite our will to change things.

I find letting go is the best thing. I let go of all these things and choose to change ONE.

Which one CAN you change?
Focus on only that. If you choose to change your relationships, then focus on that. Do not worry about what you are eating.....that can come afterwards. Trust that God will look after the other things in your list while you are working on your relationships.

As you see the positive differences you make with your relationships, you will lift yourself up a little higher. You will get a little more self confidence in your ability to exert self control.

And when you are ready to take the next step, then go to next thing that needs to get changed. Thank God for minding that one, while you worked on your first issue, and begin to work on the new one. Pray for help on this.

Things take time. And No-one expects that you should be perfect from first go.
We are a working progress and you are a wonderful person just as you are. You are a wonderful person, who is working to make yourself an even better person.

 

[herriseone]

Things take time. And No-one expects that you should be perfect from first go.
We are a working progress and you are a wonderful person just as you are. You are a wonderful person, who is working to make yourself an even better person.

Wow ... NewInFaith Those words have been such a blessing to me! I thank Jesus for you!

I also find it hard a lot of the time to let go of the things in the 'sense world' and concentrate on my 'faith world'. Every day I pray and I feel as though God is helping me through it. Just keeping on thinking about the story footprints, Jesus needs to carry us sometimes till we can walk by ourselves and I'm sure Dee that you'll be walking in no time.

God Bless!

G¬¬

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Re: Self Control

Vicente:

The Apostle Paul tried the system you speak of and had problems with it:

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being, I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God---through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ro: 7:21-25a).


SLE

 

[jiggyfly]

Self control is a fruit of the HolySpirit.

Galatians 5:16-26
16*So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17*The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. 18*But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law.
19*When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21*envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22*But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23*gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.
24*Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25*If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26*Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

Dying to self through bearing the cross is the key to allowing God to work within. Becoming one who is led by the Holy Spirit is not learned behavior as so many think. It is becoming intimately involved with the Holy Spirit and heeding His instructions.

Ephesians 3:14-21
14*When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,* 15*the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16*I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. 17*And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. 18*And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. 19*May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20*Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. 21*May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

 

[herriseone]

God Bless you for that!

G¬¬