“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

Let me tell you a story.

Joseph was the 11th child of the Jacob family. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking it was a loud house right? Well right ! It was a very loud house.

“Reuben stop Benjamin from putting that thread in his mouth!” “Judah go feed the flock!” “Levi, stop fighting with Asher.” These were some of the things you heard every day in the Jacob house.

Joseph was his dad’s favourite son and you know how these things get. Your dad likes your other siblings more than you. You don’t hate your sibling, you’re just jealous. But truth is jealousy eventually leads to hatred. Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and started hating him as you will soon find out…

One day, Jacob called Joseph and told him to check up on his brothers at the field where they fed their sheep. His brothers saw Joseph and thought of ways to get rid of him. They made up their mind to sell him off as a slave. When he was in the new house, he worked diligently. He did everything so well that his master, Mr. Potiphar was happy with him. Mrs. Potiphar was pleased with him as well but she had other motives. She was a beautiful and curvy lady. What some men would call irresistible. LOL. She wanted Joseph to lie with her which was an abomination. He refused because of self-control . . .

Self-control according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires. It is having control over your self. Self including your desires, emotions, urges and every part of you.

This is what Joseph clearly exhibited. Despite the fact that Mrs. Potiphar was beautiful and pleasant to look at, he thought of the consequences :

• He would offend Mr. Potiphar who liked him very much and break his trust.
• More importantly, he would offend GOD. He would have committed a sin which is the transgression of GOD’s law. (1 Jn. 3:4)

“You shall not commit adultery.”

Exodus 20:14 AMP

You should know that to live a righteous life as a believer, you need to exhibit self-control. When you have self-control, you won’t have to fall prey to desires that will in the long run, become master over you.

“Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves to as servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”

Romans 6:16 KJV

Thankfully, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit so you don’t need to fruitlessly work on your own. If you find it hard to express this fruit of Self-control, ask for His help. He will surely come to your aid.

I know you have been inspired. Do you know of any other Biblical characters who exhibited self-control? Do let me know in the comment box below. Also, please feel free to share to that person on your mind now. They need to hear or better still, see this.

Self-control according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.
#gloryinspires

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It is having control over your self. Self including your desires, emotions, urges and every part of you.
#gloryinspires

Click to Tweet

To live a righteous life as a believer, you need to have self-control. When you do, you won’t have to fall prey to desires that will in the long run, become master over you.
#gloryinspires

Click to Tweet