Practice practice practice

Self control is like a muscle. With each use of our muscle, it temporarily loses some strength. This leaves us with less strength and energy to handle the next self control challenge that appears. 

However, the more you exercise the muscle, the smarter you can be about using it. Your muscle is also stronger. 

It is said in Proverbs 16: 32 ( NIV )

³² Better a patient person than a warrior, 

   one with self-control than one who takes a city. 

Also, self control is one of the fruits of the spirit as stated in Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

In Titus 2:2 (NIV), it says 

² Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

What does self-controlled mean in Titus 2:2?

Paul uses this word, mostly in his letters to Timothy and Titus, to mean resisting temptation. It means emotional control - a disciplined balance of emotions and will. Self control means living in gentle strength, able to withstand the influence of passions and environment.

Self control helps us make better decisions because we don't just simply base a decision on emotions. At times, better decisions are made if we did it from thinking and not feeling. It's just like how we should be patient with someone because it's right rather than exploding in anger because we're plain angry. Do what is right, not what you like. =)

Self control makes sure we don't get overboard in doing things. Like drinking too much water. Eating too much. Playing too much video games. Everything needs a balance. Even studying the Word of God until we lock ourselves out from the world and stay stuck in our room for months, isolated from society is not good because you also have to share the word of God, make an impact in ppl's live etc. Basically, it's best not to go to the extreme. 

Whatever self control there is like self control to anger, food etc we should have a balance in everything we do. =D

And just like a muscle, we should continue to exercise it. It also helps us become better leaders as it we can make rationale decisions. For example,

 The apostle paul instructed church leaders and their wives to make self-control workouts a regular part of their leadership training regimen. "Exercise self-control," Paul exhorted as the group, "live wisely, and have a good reputation" ( 1 Timothy 3:2 )

So set some goals toward strengthening your self-control muscle today. 

Do you practice self control?