In response to the salvation we received through the cross and in light of the salvation we will receive when Christ returns, the Apostle Paul says that God’s grace teaches us to live self-controlled lives.

What does the he mean by self-control? It means to master your moods, impulses and behavior. It is not simply speaking of delayed gratification, which in our culture, means waiting two minutes in the fast food drive-thru instead of one, or giving up Coke for Lent—and drinking Pepsi instead. Biblical self-control may mean giving something up completely. It is the ability to direct my physical desires to fulfill God’s purposes, instead of using them for my own personal gratification. It means taking care of my body in a way that honors God. It means biting my tongue instead of making that sarcastic remark. It means saying “No” to something I want but isn’t good for me. It means making God’s long-range purposes for my life more important than what looks and feels good right now. It means to take dominion over my desires.

What does the Bible mean when it calls us to live self-controlled lives? It means to master your moods, impulses and behavior. It is not simply speaking of delayed gratification, which in our culture, means waiting two minutes in the fast food drive-thru instead of one, or giving up Coke for Lent—and drinking Pepsi instead. Biblical self-control may mean giving something up completely. It is the ability to direct my physical desires to fulfill God’s purposes, instead of using them for my own personal gratification. It means taking care of my body in a way that honors God. It means biting my tongue instead of making that sarcastic remark. It means saying “No” to something I want but isn’t good for me. It means making God’s long-range purposes for my life more important than what looks and feels good right now. It means to take dominion over my desires. It means even taking every thought captive. That is what God wants of you and me–and in light of what He has planned for those who master self-control, the effort will be well worth it!

The root word for self-control meant to “take hold of something” or literally, to “get a grip.” In whatever particular area of life we struggle, Paul would say, “Get a grip on this thing!” Don’t let anything be out of your control; bring every area of your life under the supervision of the Holy Spirit. Paul talked about bringing his entire body under control. He even said he would bring every thought captive. That is what God wants of us, too!

There is no area of life where we’re exempt from developing self-control. We need to blanket our lives with this fruit so that the devil can’t get a foothold and distract us from the life God desires us to live.

Now one piece of advice for for cultivating self-control in that particularly resistant area of your life is simply this: Start small!

The old adage is true, “you can eat an elephant—one bite at a time!” Don’t get overwhelmed with how far you may have to go. God is ready to give you just the right amount of grace and strength to gain mastery over that area right now. He doesn’t give you a reservoir of grace and strength for a month or a year from now. But like the manna in the desert, he gives you the right amount for today. And tomorrow, he’ll give you the right amount for that day. Do what you can today. You don’t become a spiritual giant by praying an hour a day; you begin by praying five minutes a day. Or maybe three or two. You just begin spending time with God. So it is with any area of self-control. Just begin by identifying your area, ask God for help and then begin to take resolute action steps to gain mastery.

Now here is the good news: There is a prize for us who run the race and train our bodies and discipline our minds and partner with the Spirit to develop the fruit of self-control. It is the reward of heaven and recognition of God in the life to come. It is to have God’s final approval that will make every effort you put forth now to develop self-control, as painful and sacrificial as it may be, worth it in the end.

So go ahead and get a grip!

“Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom’s root” ~Robert Burns

Reflect and Apply: Offer this prayer as you begin to exercise self-control over your area of resistance: “Father, today I would like to take some small steps to bring self-control to my life. By your strength, may the self-control that I exert over my flesh be pleasing to you and take me a step closer to a life full devotion to you.”