¡°Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control¡± (Proverbs 25:28 NIV).
Self-control brings with it the good feeling of competency. Like a finely tuned precision automobile, your life stays on course with the slightest touch of steering. The results of self-control are confidence and an inner sense of security.
Self-control and self-discipline are also key factors in any success you hope to have in this life. Without self-discipline, you are unlikely to achieve anything of lasting value.
The apostle Paul realized this when he wrote, ¡°Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever¡± (1 Corinthians 9:25 GNT).
Olympic athletes train for years in order to have a chance to win a brief moment of glory. But the race we are running is far more important than any earthly athletic event. So self-control is not optional for Christians.
How do we gain true self-control?
Admit your problem. The starting point for developing self-control is to face what God has already said about me: I am responsible for my behavior.
James 1:14 (PH) says, ¡°A man¡¯s temptation is due to the pull of his own inward desires, which can be enormously attractive.¡±
Do you realize what that says? It says you do things because you like to do them! When I do something I know is bad for me, I still do it because I like to do it. I want to do it; it¡¯s an inner desire. Do you want more self-control? Admit you have a problem and be specific about it. Begin praying specifically about your problem areas.
Put your past behind you. Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV) says, ¡°Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal¡¦¡±
This verse exposes a misconception that will keep you from gaining self-control: Once a failure, always a failure.
Failure in the past does not mean you¡¯ll never be able to change. Focusing on past failures, however, does guarantee their repetition. It¡¯s like driving a car and looking in the rearview mirror the whole time. You¡¯re going to collide with what¡¯s ahead of you. Ask God to help you put your past behind you.
============================= key expressions =============================
competency : ¼öÇà´É·Â / competent : À¯´ÉÇÑ, ÀûÀÓÀÇ, Á¤´çÇÑ
precision: (a) Á¤¹ÐÇÑ
wreath: Èȯ, È°ü
specific: Ư¼öÇÑ, ƯÁ¤ÇÑ, ±¸Ã¼ÀûÀÎ, ¸íÈ®ÇÑ
============================ today¡¯s sentence ============================
Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever.