Prov.16.32 - It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city(NLT)

Self control as we know, is one of the fruit of the Spirit. It is one of the characteristics that a believer should manifest. Unfortunately, this is not 100% true to what we see everyday, even among some believers. 

Self control is a characteristic that is sometimes subconsciously less emphasised, but is a very important tool we need to live a life of righteousness and selflessness such that we reflect Christ and bring glory to God. Jesus' life on earth shows us the application of self control;

Matt.4.2 - And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. [NKJV]

Nobody needs to tell us that after 40 days of abstinence from food, one will feel hungry. However, the Bible did not cease to explicitly state it, just so we know that even our Master Jesus was hungry. Oh, you wouldn't say he was hungry for the word of God, He was hungry for food. Yes, Food!  Now the devil came, seeing a very major need for Jesus at the moment, decided to take advantage of it. We all know how Jesus overcame the temptation. Jesus exercised self control. Jesus did not give in to the desires of His flesh, He controlled himself. What was His weapon? The word of God. 

We have the Holy Spirit within us, which simply tells us that we have the innate ability to control ourselves. Prayer helps to empower our Spirit man such that this innate ability is activated. This is emphasized in Jude 1: 20(AMP)

Jude.1.20 - But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

We also have the Word of God which is the weapon we need to put our flesh under the subjection of the Spirit. So we have all the resources we need. That which remains for us to do is to make the decision on our own part to live a self controlled life, using the avaliable resources to accomplish this goal.

2Pet.1.5 - But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
2Pet.1.6 - to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [NKJV]

We see in verse 5 which says "giving all diligence". This shows that in addition to the resources provided for us by the Holy Spirit to exercise self control, we also need the resolve to put in effort to walk in this reality.


Most of the societal vices we face today are due to lack of self control. Talk of the recently trendy rape cases, family riots, extra marital affairs among couples, murder due to rage etc. A man who cannot control himself cannot control his family, a woman who cannot control herself cannot be submissive to her husband. The CEO of that big company who cannot control himself will not be able to manage the multitude of workers under him.

We aim towards attaining the stature of Christ. Let us pray and make the decision to exercise self control even as we continue in this growth process. 

Obisesan Abolade
BMLS 2K18