Self Control – 2 Peter 1:4

For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Hallelujah!  Christ, having died on the cross to redeem our sins, set us free.  From the first instant of our salvation, we were under new leadership.  Sin was no longer our slave master and an unruly spirit no longer our lord.  Christ gave us new hearts,[1] and He imbued us with the attributes of the Holy Spirit:  “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”[2]  The old things had passed away, and we were reborn; new things had come.[3]

By His grace, Christ gave us lives worth living; He enables us to live sensible, righteous, godly lives.[4] Through His kindness, He released us from bondage to angry, self-indulgent, uncontrollable spirits, and He gave us power to overcome our sins.  We need not be like Esau who to satisfy the desire of the moment sold his birthright for a plate of stew.[5]  For Christ changed us forever, eternally, and as His light shines upon the path of sanctification before us, He is transforming us into people with hearts like His.  He has clothed us in His divine nature, and as we follow Him, our foolishness is yielding to maturity.  By grace, we are learning to exercise control over our minds, spirits, and actions.

With a heart prepared by prayer and fellowship with the Lord, allow the Holy Spirit to reign over you as you yield to His leading, not to a wild, untamable spirit.  Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness,[6] and in faith, pursue self-control along with moral excellence, knowledge, perseverance, brotherly-kindness, and love.[7] Let the Lord be your strength, and He will enable you to stand against the pull to revert to self-indulgent liberality.  Arm yourself with the Word as you submit to the Holy Spirit, and the Lord will give you the wisdom and power to resist  temptation.[8]  While the enticement to return to former behavior may be appealing, stand firm in faith, and your victory will be sweet.

Make Jesus the Lord of your days and give the Holy Spirit control over your inner being.  Determine that, having once gained victory over your spirit, retreat is not an option.  As you steadfastly walk with the Lord, He will continue His work within you, remaking you into a new person, a person with proven character, a person with the power to proclaim victory over sin.[9]

[1] Ezekiel 36:26

[2] Galatians 5:22-23

[3] 2 Corinthians 5:17

[4] Titus 2:11-12

[5] Genesis 25:29-34

[6] 1 Timothy 4:7-8

[7] 2 Peter 1:5-7

[8] 2 Timothy 3:14-15

[9] Romans 8:2