“I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:27 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control of your body. i.e. your physical fitness – healthy, fat, thin, weak, strong.

God gives each of us a body and He says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19)

Of course, we do have a moral obligation to keep our bodies from committing sin. We should also be concerned with its health.

Take good care of your body

The verse at the top says, “I take care of my body and make it my slave.” This means you control your body, you do not become a slave to it. You can’t keep yourself from getting older. But, you can, however, do something about being healthy and strong, no matter what age you are.

My confession

I let myself get out of shape until I was beginning to have severe health issues because of it. My desk job kept me sitting for too long, and I did not exercise or eat wisely. So, I was seriously overweight, and pre-diabetic, as well as other issues I’m not going to bore you with.

What I did

First, I did a personal evaluation based on my doctor’s tests, and came up with a plan. I decided not to do anything knee-jerk, like crash diets, or bouts at the gym, because they wouldn’t be sustainable over a long period of time. Instead, I would have a doable lifestyle change. I realized that I hadn’t gotten into my problem overnight and wouldn’t get out of it overnight.

My 3-phase plan started a year and a half ago

Phase one

I set a timer to go off every hour. When it did, I got up from my desk and walked around the block. Just doing that amount was more than I was used to. I did that for weeks and eventually it grew into a routine and got easy.

I cut back on how much I was eating. I didn’t change what I was eating at first, just reduced the amount I put onto my plate and I took longer eating; chewed slower and paused between bites.

I started drinking more water. I discovered if I drank a large glass of water with my meals, it filled up “the empty spot” I was used to putting food into. So, I felt as full as before with less food.

It paid off, I started to slowly lose some weight!

Phase two

I started counting my steps and mileage. I got a smart watch, and with help from my son, Mark, programmed it with some goals. Now my watch started reminding me to get up, to move around, and to walk. I discovered that there are about 2,000 steps in one of my typical miles, so I began by walking two miles a day. That seemed challenging for me at first and I had to work to reach it. It meant walking more than my usual walk around the block. But, I did it. Oh, and I upped my pace a bit. I started walking like I was late for something.

I started to eat healthier. I was now starting to feel better and so I cut back on sweets, between meal snacks, and I added more fruit and vegetables to my diet. The healthier my diet was, the less I missed the junk food.

Phase three

I began increasing the number of steps I was walking per day. I found it easier and easier to walk more miles per day and kept feeling better as I did. I found myself walking three miles a day easily, and then four, and then five and then eight! I was surprised that I could now do it so easily.

I started to run. It kind of came on gradually. As I was walking one day, I just felt like running a bit, so I did. I would walk normally until I came to a street and then I’d run across the street. Then I found I could easily run around the block. It was amazing to realize that I could barely walk around that same block a few months earlier, and now I can easily run around it!

The results

• Lost 56 lbs – Weight went from 225 to 169

• Waist size, from 38” to 33” – lost 5 inches from waist.

• No longer pre-diabetic – blood work now normal.

• I feel great and have amazing energy that still surprises me.

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” (James 1:19 NASB)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over how you respond to others, i.e. what you do or say in reaction to something that has been said, has happened or has been done.

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.” (Luke 6:27-29 NASB)

“The eye is the light of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” (Matt. 6:22-23 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over what you look at.

Even though it’s not possible to avoid all the visual evil that is in the world, it’s all around us, you can avoid much of it in many respects, by choosing what you look at, including things like TV, movies, the Internet, video games, books and magazines. It’s about making wise viewing choices.

Make a conscious decision to NOT allow yourself to look at evil things

“I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” (Psalm 101:3)

You can and should make a “what I will not look at” commitment

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin?” (Job 31:1 NASB)

There’s a connection between the eye and the heart

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:28)

Ask God to help you have the eyes of your heart enlightened

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”  (Eph. 1:16-21):

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18)

Quotes

“The eyes are the gateway to the soul.” – Herman Melville

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over what you say to others.

This apparently is a HUGE deal with God because the Bible has so much to say on the subject of controlling what you say. In fact, the Bible says if a man doesn’t stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man!

The tongue is a fire!

“For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. …” (James 3:2-10)

“A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.” (Prov. 18:7)

“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Prov. 13:3)

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)

What you say comes from your heart

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:45)

Control what you say!

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.” (Prov. 21:23)

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:29-32)

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10)

You will give account to God for every careless word you speak

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:37)

What to do

Ask for forgiveness over past discretions. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

 Always speak with gracious care

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:6)

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” (Prov. 15:28)

“Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” (Prov. 17:27-28)

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” -Abraham Lincoln

“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.” (Prov. 29:11 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over your temper, i.e. strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment.

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” (Prov. 16:32)

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”  (Eph. 4:31)

Some practical steps for temper control

·   Stop and think before saying anything harsh! If you must speak, give a soft answer. Proverbs 15: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

·   Count to ten. In your head or out loud, so you can cool down and see where you’re at afterward. 

·  Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm. Breathing from your chest won’t relax you, so picture your breath coming up from your “gut.”

·  Take a time out if necessary.  Excuse yourself and move away from the situation in order to calm down and regain your composure.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)

“The greatest remedy for anger is delay.” –Thomas Paine

“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” – Mark Twain

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over fear, i.e. terror, fright, fearfulness, alarm, panic, dread, dismay, anxiety, worry, foreboding.

Fear is not from God!

  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)

Don’t be anxious about anything! But, in every situation do these 3 things:

1) Pray.

2) Petition God with your requests.

3) Thank Him.

And, in Christ Jesus, He will do these 3 wonderful things for you:

1) He will give you the peace that transcends understanding.

2) He will guard your heart.

3) He will guard your mind.

Here is the Bible verse that says it clearly: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

God’s promises about fear

“But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1)

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” (Psalm 94:19)

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.  He freed me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

Note: The Bible says “do not fear” 365 times, one for each day of the year! It is a command that God truly wants you to understand. You must exert self-control over all fear! You can control it! Do NOT let the devil tell you otherwise!

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes. 5:18 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over being thankful and grateful.

Develop an attitude of gratitude. Practice being grateful on a daily basis and your happiness and productivity will increase. Doing so will help you to focus on hope, remain inspired, be optimistic, encouraged and will produce resilience to persevere in the face of any setbacks.

Be grateful for receiving an unshakable Kingdom

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” (Heb. 12:28)

Glorify God with a sacrifice of thanksgiving

“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Psalm 50:23)

Be thankful that his steadfast love endures forever

“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 118:28-29)

“In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“I truly believe we can either see the connections, celebrate them, and express gratitude for our blessings, or we can see life as a string of coincidences that have no meaning or connection. For me, I’m going to believe in miracles, celebrate life, rejoice in the views of eternity, and hope my choices will create a positive ripple effect in the lives of others. This is my choice.” – Mike Ericksen

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over love

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-48)

The Bible tells us what love is.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (1 Cor. 13:4-5)

Love is from God

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

We love others because God loves us

“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

We are also commanded to love others

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom. 12:10)

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?” – Mother Teresa

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” – Jesus Christ

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Prov. 13:20 NIV)

Galatians chapter five tells us that one of the nine fruits of the spirit is self-control. You can have self-control over your relationships, i.e. who you choose to spend the most time with.

Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and how we should choose them. We are not to associate with any who entice us to do wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Avoid those whose “feet rush to sin.” Their sinful path is no place for a Christian to follow, whose choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.” Only that path leads to friendship with God, which is the ultimate goal of a Christian.

Being yoked together with unbelievers is not compatible

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14)

Having unreliable friends will ruin you

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Prov. 18:24)

Having wicked friends will lead you astray

“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26)

Having bad company will ruin your morals

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33)

Having wise friends will help you become wise

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Prov. 13:20)

Having wise friends strengthens and sharpens you

“A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might.” (Prov. 24:5)

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Prov. 27:17)

“Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.” – John Woode