How Do You Spell Relief The Need For

How Do You Spell Relief? The Need For Self-Control?

Self-Control n Remember the R-O-L-A-I-D-S commercial: “How do you spell relief? ” n People often want relief from physical discomfort without changing the bad habits that cause it. “Just make me feel better, ” they say.

Self-Control n God requires that we exercise “self- control” (1 Cor. 9: 25 -27) n God wants us to control our attitude, not just the physical discomfort. Are you in need of more self-control? How do you spell relief?

How Do You Spell Relief? n From Stress. . . H-A-T-E or A-N-G-E-R? C-U-R-S-I-N-G or S-W-E-A-R-I-N-G? A-N-X-I-E-T-Y or W-O-R-R-Y? Q-U-I-T, S-U-I-C-I-D-E, D-R-U-G-S, or -L-C-O-H-O-L? V-I-O-L-E-N-C-E or M-U-R-D-E-R? A

How Do You Spell Relief? n From Materialism, Money, Food… G-R-E-E-D, S-T-E-A-L or G-A-M-B-L-E? G-L-U-T-T-O-N-Y?

How Do You Spell Relief? n From Marital Problems… D-I-V-O-R-C-E or S-E-P-A-R-A-T-I-O-N? A-B-U-S-E?

How Do You Spell Relief? n From Sexual Tension… A-D-U-L-T-E-R-Y, F-O-R-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N, or R-A-P-E? P-O-R-N-O-G-R-A-P-H-Y or H -O-M-O-S-E-X-U-A-L-I-T-Y?

How Do You Spell Relief? n From Church, Home & Work Problems… M-U-R-M-U-R, G-O-S-S-I-P, or -L-A-N-D-E-R? G-R-U-D-G-E, D-I-V-I-S-I-O-N, or -E-N-I-A-L? S D

Why Self-Control Is Not Popular n Without self-control we can excuse our rash behavior; something many people like to do. n With self-control we have to live a limited, restricted life; something many do not want to do. Illus. The car that is under perfect control travels easily, the car that is out of control does not. Be in control, like Paul (1 Cor. 6: 12).

What is Self-Control? n Someone has described self-control as “the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bear hands and then eat just one of the pieces. ” n “Most powerful is he who has himself in his power” - Seneca

What is Self-Control? n The Greek words translated “self- control” are enkrateia, enkrates , and enkrateuomai, which mean “strength”; then, “mastery” n God gives us strengths and powers; powers which are capable of being abused; so these powers must be controlled.

Self-Control in the OT n Prov. 16: 32; 25: 28 n Self-control fortifies the inner man. Samson was a man strong on the outside, but weak on the inside. Illus. Solomon’s “art of self-defense” laid down in Prov. 15: 1

Self-Control in the NT n Ac. 24: 25; 1 Cor. 7: 9; 9: 25; Gal. 5: 23; Tit. 1: 8; 2 Pet. 1: 6 n “Without self-control” (Gr. akrasia and akrates ) is found in Mt. 23: 25; 1 Cor. 7: 5; and 2 Tim. 3: 3. The Gr. word means “want of power; powerless. ” n The KJV uses “temperance” and “temperate” for self-control.

Two Examples of Self-Control n David (1 Sam. 24: 6 -7; 26: 9 -11) n Son of David: Jesus (Mt. 26: 39, 53; 27: 29)

Practicing Self-Control n Take extreme measures if necessary (Prov. 23: 1 -3) …run away (Gen. 39: 7 -10) … make no provision for the flesh (Mk. 9: 43 -47; Rom. 13: 14) n Recall the words of the wise (Jer. 35: 5 -6) n Make up your mind ahead of time (Dan. 1: 8)

Practicing Self-Control n Recite scripture (Mt. 4: 4, 7, 10) n Pray (Mt. 6: 13; 26: 41) n Know that you will be a hypocrite (Mt. 23: 25) n Realize that Satan is waiting (1 Cor. 7: 5)

Practicing Self-Control n Don’t lose sight of the goal (1 Cor. 9: 25 -27) n Don’t hurt your body (Col. 2: 23) n Commit yourself to God (1 Pet. 2: 22 -23) n Apply what you have learned (2 Pet. 1: 6)

Practicing Self-Control n How do you spell relief? By losing your self-control? n We need to spell relief, J-E-S-U-S (Mt. 11: 28 -29)