Self Control! What is That?

What are ways we can be out of control?

Why is our flesh so bad, once we start feeding it distinctive things, stopping is the problem;  Probably because it is an escape and it feels good temporally. It is okay to feel good .

How high do we want to fly?  Why do we crave things that will ultimately kill us?  Are we stupid or something? 

We can get satisfaction from doing good.  It feels so good to do good!!  A higher life, way higher and above human reason.  Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly!

Substance abuse
1. Alcohol

2. Drugs

3. Food- Always a problem!

4. Cigarettes

Sexual addictions

God made it for a husband and Wife

Gambling addictions

Addictions are hard and can be overcome! Support from others and God helps us.

The Marshmallow Test

This is cute! Click Marshmallows

What will help me with Self-Control?

To have self-control gives such power!  Not being controlled by a substance or an addiction. 
Not letting your natural desires go too far. 
A good friend is great to have to keep on track! 

Being involved in church helps a lot!

Great Ideas to Help:

1. Put Christ first
2. Conviction
3. Encounter with God
4. Learning from suffering
5. Learning from pain of wrong decisions
6. Crying out to God
7. Encouragement from a friend
8. Prayer
9. Leaning on Gods strength and power
10. Deliverance
11. Being too busy doing what needs to be done
12. Helping others
13. No idle time
14. Focus on task ahead
15. Satisfaction from simple things
16. Being fruitful
17. Rest without worry
18. Ignore temptations
19. No need for stupidity
20. Doing what I am suppose to be doing
13. Prioritize my life
14. Have fun but put away childish ways
15. Make a difference
16. Grown up
17. Wisdom of consequences
18. To be stable
19. Realize we can’t be perfect 
20. Find good company
21. Hang around strong moral people
22. Bad company destroys 
23. Be controlled by the spirit and not  the flesh. Romans 7:15
24. Don’t be a slave to sin

Being out of balance. All of us struggle with it at times.
We abuse our bodies.  Thank goodness for Christs mercy, grace, and forgiveness!!
Galatians 5:22-23 The fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. 
 I sure struggle with balance! I want to live a higher life, a life above this one!!

 *Results of marshmallow test*

Christ Like Virtues

7 Virtues of Christ Like Behavior

2 Peter 1: 3-11

v.3   His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

v.4   Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

v.5   For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith1.Goodness;and to goodness, 2. Knowledge; 

v.6  and to knowledge,3.Self-Control; and to self-control, 4.Perseverance; and to perseverance, 5.Godliness; 

v.7  and to godliness, 6.Brotherly Kindness; and to brotherly kindness, 7.Love. 

v.8  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

v.9  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that He has been cleansed from his past sins.

v.10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,and

v.11  You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.