Principle
Lessons on Self-control
God's Spirit helps us say no to wrong things.
4 lessons
Big Feelings: Taking Them to GodBig Feelings: AngerGenesis 4:1-16; Ephesians 4:26-27; James 1:19-20; Hebrews 12:24Cain and Abel were brothers. When God was pleased with Abel's offering but not Cain's, Cain became very angry. Before Cain did anything, God came to him and asked, "Why are you angry?" God warned him that sin was waiting at the door like a wild animal, but Cain could rule over it. Cain didn't listen, and his anger led him to hurt his brother. Anger is a big feeling we can take to God. We can be angry without sinning when we stop at the door and let God help us.Old TestamentSelf-control
David Spares Saul1 Samuel 24:1-22King Saul hunted David, but one day Saul walked right into the cave where David was hiding. David's men said, "This is your chance!" David could have hurt Saul, but he cut off only a corner of Saul's robe, and even that bothered him. David trusted God to make things right, so he chose self-control.Old TestamentSelf-control
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: Self-controlNehemiah 5:1-19; Proverbs 25:28; Titus 2:11-12While Jerusalem's walls were being rebuilt, Nehemiah heard that rich leaders were taking poor families' land and money. He was very angry, but he stopped to think before he spoke. Then he calmly told the leaders to make it right, and they did. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. A person without it is like a city with broken walls, but God's Spirit helps us say no to wrong things and stop and think.Old TestamentSelf-control
Jesus the KingJesus Is TemptedMatthew 4:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:2-3After forty days without food in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil, and He said no every time by trusting God's Word.New TestamentSelf-control