Self-control is a character trait, and it is mentioned in the Bible often. When we are strong in self-control, our flesh, the devil, and the world around us don’t control us; we do what we know is right. The Biblical title for those with self-control is “overcomers.” Almost every sin we commit is because of a lack of self-control. I have worked at growing in self-control in my life over the years in reading my Bible every day, spending time with God in prayer every day, memorizing hundreds of Bible verses, controlling how I speak, not getting angry, and not letting myself get addicted to TV, computer games, or any substance. Nothing causes me to get disgusted with myself more than a lapse in self-control. Recently, Patty and I were eating dinner with several other people. Dessert was a beautiful Marion berry cheesecake. I knew it would taste delicious, so I had a small piece. I discovered several months ago that I am very allergic to gluten and white sugar. They cause my muscles to jerk, get cramps, and spasm uncontrollably as soon as I quit moving and relax; it is a frustrating experience, especially when I am trying to go to sleep. Cheesecake has both gluten and sugar, and I knew it before I ate it, so why did I eat it? I thought it was just a little piece; it had been some time since I had eaten any gluten or sugar, and I forgot how irritating the consequences were. The result is that I didn’t sleep all night. That is a simple little slip in self-control, but the fact that I did something I knew was not a good choice, but I did it anyway for the sake of the immediate gratification of the wonderful taste is what frustrates me about my lack of self-control. I journaled about the experience and am now writing my blog about it, so hopefully, I have grown a little bit in the character trait of self-control.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.