This characteristic helps spiritually faithful to resist temptation and avoid harmful behaviors. It involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with the divine's character. It extends to thoughts, feelings, and internal states.
Self-control involves making wise choices in everyday situations, such as resisting overeating, controlling anger, or maintaining sexual purity. Self-control requires active effort and intentionality. Rather than being a passive trait, it involves taking positive actions to live a life that adheres as closely as possible to the divine's dictates.
Self-control is a reflection of the divine's own discipline and order and it helps believers to live in accordance with divine nature. It is a fruit of Spirit, meaning it is a characteristic developed through the work of divine spirit in a believer's life, rather than solely through human effort.
It is considered a vital virtue for enlightened character and maturity.
Some Key Takeaways:
- If you can't "control" (put your own brakes on your actions) who can you control?
- Self-control is learning to master one's actions, thoughts, and emotions, especially in the face of temptation.
- Self-control involves making conscious choices to align one's behavior with the divine character.
- It requires active effort and intentionality.
- Self-control is a reflection of the divine's own discipline and order into the world to help others see and live in accordance with divine nature.
- As an outcome of spiritual growth it is developed through divine assistance rather than solely through human effort.
- Self-control is a vital virtue for enlightened character and maturity.
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