“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:5-8 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 attitude, i.e. the way you think and feel about someone or something

God did not create us to be robots but instead gave us self-control. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7). 

Thomas Jefferson said, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”

Bible Instructions about attitude

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:2-8)

Quotes:

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” – Zig Ziglar

“Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” – Albert Einstein

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32 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 behavior, i.e. the way in which you act or conduct yourself, especially toward others.

Here’s a great way to behave

Eph. 4:32, says that we should be kind to one another, to be tenderhearted, and to forgive others in the same way Christ forgave you.

The golden rule of behavior

“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31)

And, here’s a final word on behavior

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)

“When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less.”- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.” (Psalm 4:4 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 self-talk, i.e. what you say to and about yourself

We all talk-to and think-to ourselves. It’s what we call self-talk. There are different kinds of self-talk; some are positive and some are negative. Here are some of them.

Foolish self-talk

“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool!’” (Luke 22-19)

“The fool says within his heart, ‘there is no God.’” (Psalm 14-1)

“The wicked man says to himself, ‘God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees.’” (Psalm 10:11)

Negative self-talk

It may surprise you how often you criticize yourself. The problem is that a lot of us are like Job, who says, “Everything I say seems to condemn me;” (Job 9:20). If you are typical to the human race, you are your own worst critic.

How do you eliminate negative self-talk so you can become a more confident person?

Learn to recognize your inner negative voice and replace it with encouraging uplifting statements from God’s Word.

The Bible teaches the principle of replacement. “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right … Think about all you can thank God for and be glad about.” (Phil. 4:8 TLB)

Positive self-talk

The Bible in Matthew tells of a woman who was very ill and reveals her positive self-talk when she says, “If I can but only touch his coat, I will get well.” (Matt.  9:21). Of course, this boosted her faith and she was healed!

Saying to yourself, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus which strengthens me” (Phil 4:13), is a positive and constructive example of self-talk.

Quotes:

“Your most important talk is your self-talk.” –  Zig Ziglar

 “Your ability to use the principle of autosuggestion will depend, very largely, upon your capacity to concentrate upon a given desire until that desire becomes a burning obsession.” – Napoleon Hill

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Col. 3:2 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 think about, i.e. your mind’s mental fitness – what you think about, ponder, consider, meditate, contemplate, deliberate, and/or set your mind upon.

What you think about is at the heart of who you actually are and the Bible says it clearly in the following verse.

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov. 23:7)

Be careful what you let your mind think about

”For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23)

You can renew your mind

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  (Rom. 12:2)

Capture every thought and prepare your mind

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13)

Dwell on excellent things

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Phil. 4:8)

“A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.” – James Allen, As a Man Thinketh 

“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