Exercising Self-Control

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PROGRAM D-7080

Do you want to be self-controlled?  Are you finding it difficult?  I’ve pointed out that first you must identify specific areas where you lack self-control, confess those as sins to God, find Scripture that relates to them, write those verses on cards, memorize the verses and pray them into your life daily.  When you do that, you will begin to forsake those things, and you will be rebuilding your walls of self-control.

I also suggested you make yourself accountable to someone else, so that you know someone else is praying with you about it and is going to kindly check up on you.

Another good suggestion to help you bring yourself under control is to learn to humble yourself.  Make it a conscious project to humble yourself whenever you have an opportunity, as the Bible tells us to do.  How do we do that?  Here are a few suggestions:

Don’t talk about yourself so much.  When you’re in a conversation, focus on the other person and talk about them.  And really listen and care about that person and what’s happening in his or her life.

Don’t brag about your successes.  Let other people praise you and not your own lips, the Bible says.  Resist the temptation to tell everyone who you are and what you’ve done.

Accept criticism gracefully, even if it’s not given in the same way.  Don’t defend yourself.  Allow God to be your defense.