Self: Out of Control 2

Self: Out of Control 2

By Apostle Felix

22 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails,

23 gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. 

Galatians 5: 22, 23

Lack of self control is at the centre of human problems. Marriages break due to self-centredness. Some are incarcerated because they lost their temper. Temper refers to a person’s state of mind, mood, or tendency toward sudden anger. Temperament refers to an individual’s innate, stable emotional disposition, behavioral style and characteristic mood. Temper is deeply rooted in one’s temperament. When one says that he/she lost his/her temper is actually referring to one’s state of being, especially the soul. The state of loss of control of one’s temper is a state of madness. This is the reason why people do the unthinkable when they have lost their tempers. A husband will end up strangling his wife because he had lost his temper.

11  And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Numbers 20: 11

Moses lost the opportunity to enter the promised land because he lost his temper. God had told him to speak to the rock, but because the children of Israel had infuriated him, he instead hit the rock twice. Lack of self control can cause one to miss the will of God concerning his/her life. So many lost numerous opportunities of promotion at work because of rage. For some have lost beautiful marriages because of rage. For some have killed their loved ones because they lost their temper and ended up killing. Moses, was disqualified because he misrepresented the revelation of Christ to the people. Christ cannot be killed twice and the hitting of the rock twice, misrepresented God. He had hit the rock forty years earlier when Israel left Egypt. The first hit was Christ’s death, and the second time he was asked to speak to the rock, symbolizing the resurrection power. But lack of self control blinded Moses from that revelation, and instead he hit the rock.

How Can I Bring Self Under Control

19  My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen, but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry,
20  for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose.

James 1: 19, 20

1. Take to heart: The heart is a storage, and out of it are issues of life. We will all be offended at one point, but we are expected to respond amicably , and not react. Respond from the heart that is full of God’s transformative word. Aloow the heart to be under the influence of God’s word. Allow the emotions to be spirit led, rather than self led.

23  So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. 

Proverbs 4: 23

2. Be quick to listen: Listening is a skill. Learn to listen with self under control. What I mean is that, learn to listen to what could be the pain or hurt in another person’s life. Some argue and fight because of the unresolved issues in their life. So, just reacting to the offense is actually participating in their pain and escalating it.

27  Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness. 

Proverbs 4: 27

3. Slow to speak: Respond intelligently to offense. The words you choose to use will either settle the quarrel or escalate it. Develop emotional intelligence when it comes to dealing with people. Do not always speak your mind, but speak the mind of Christ.

29  And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them. 

Ephesians 4: 29