Self-Control: How Do We Take Control

There are numerous bible verses on self-control. The first one that comes to my mind is Galatians 5:23. 'Meekness and temperance: against such, there is no law.' The word temperance used in this verse is the Greek word egkrateia which means self-control, self-restraint, the one who master's his desires and passions. There are many things that people can do that are natural pain killers and relaxants including. But when drugs whether natural or not, or alcohol is abused they become sin, idols, things we put ahead of family, responsibility, health and most importantly our relationship with God. Even cell phones are misused and become an obsession to the point that we ignore the person sitting next to us because our body craves the dopamine that is released into our body when we have successful social interactions such as when someone likes or comments on our post. Cell phones aren't the only thing popular today that causes dopamine to be released into the body. There is also porn, internet use, alcohol, prescription drugs, and marijuana which trigger our bodies into releasing dopamine.

Below are 25 encouraging and powerful scriptures on self-control that can be read and reread or memorized that will help someone overcome the powerful addiction to dopamine, drugs, alcohol, porn, excessive internet use, and excessive cell phone use. Concentrating on these encouraging scriptures or even one of them that speaks to your heart will help you gain self-control. Take baby steps to recovery. If you fail, try again. Ask the holy spirit to take the addiction away from you. Someone with an addiction has to become rewired. The bible is the living word of God, it has power, and so does the holy spirit that God will fill you with if you ask him to after you accept Jesus as your Savior. If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 8:9-10). The holy spirit is our helper. He teaches us, leads us and guides us. The holy spirit does not possess us but nudges us to to do the right thing, reminds us of scriptures and the right thing to do, condemning our heart when we do something wrong.

When we become a child of God by faith we overcoe sinful nature. We do not become perfect because we are still human but we know when we have sinned and with a contrite heart ask God to forgive us and he does. 'But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of god living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all). Romans 8:9-10. Addiction can feel overpowering. Bad behavior and wrong attitudes can seem so controlling that we feel powerless to change but we have help. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Galatians 5:22-23. You are not without hope. You do not have to give in to your sinful nature which can lead to problems with employment, family relationships, your role as a spouse or parent, or having a nasty and selfish attitude. You can change through the power of the holy spirit and submit yourself to Christ and the living word of God, the Holy Bible.

Encouraging scripture on self-control:
1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 16:32, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 25:28, Titus 1:8, Isaiah 55:10-11, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8-9, James 1:9-21, 1 Peter 5:6-8, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Ephesians 6:10-20, Galatians 5:13-26, Titus 2:1-15.

I encourage you in the name of Jesus to be the best that you can be in Christ. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Philippians 4;13.

Lisa C