o produce self-control by our own strength is difficult to manage when we've been allowed to act according to our feelings most of our lives. Somehow, what we say or do seems right but many times it turns out wrong.

Proverbs 14:12 also 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.

On the other hand, God's self-control is inspired with the strength and wisdom that comes through the Holy Spirit and is built on a firm foundation that never changes, God's Holy Bible.

Galatians 5:22- 23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

God gives us these powers to use to build our confidence in the position we hold in His kingdom. As young Christians we need to practice these new righteous abilities which enable us to grow strong as a good representative for God and His righteousness.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

1 Peter 4:7-11The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever.

The more self-controlled we are, in light of the scriptures, the less Satan has the ability to attack us. It's when we think, say or act in ways that aren't in line with the power and righteousness of God that Satan takes advantage of us. That's why it's so important to know the Word and how to use it. As just one example: Anger towards a person stops the Holy Spirit from working along side us to have good and prosperous days, we miss out on His direction and blessings for hours. It affects our prayer life and delays answers we need from the Thrown of God. But, love toward that person with anger at Satan for what he is doing, then providing the scriptures that brings God's authority over him, pulls the Holy Spirit close as a supernatural helper in the situation. It's important to learn when Satan is working and separate him from the person he's working through.

2 Peter 1: 5-9 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Many people never realize they have power over their feelings because they don't think before they speak or act. Discipline and weighing the outcome of the situation gives a person a chance at making the right decisions, but the knowledge of God's Word gives them strength along with wisdom to make the proper decision and to be self-controlled. Look at the lack of self-control in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Godlessness in the Last Days) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

God's power works through the Holy Spirit. That's why, after receiving salvation we must go on to receive power through the baptism (or the fullness) of the Holy Spirit. (Read: Jesus Promised The Holy Spirit and Power To All Born Again Christians)

The Holy Spirit teaches, guides and strengthens us for prospering in all areas of life; self-control is just one of those areas. When we are self-controlled we can do the work that God calls us to do with out reproach. (such that no criticism can be made)

This is an example of how we should conduct ourselves to bring honor and glory to God.

Titus 1:6-9 An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

There are many promises and great rewards for those who persevere to do the things God asks.

Hebrews 10:35-39 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. (Faith is doing what the Word says in-spite of what's going on around you.) And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Read and meditate upon the scriptures in Psalm 119 to receive strength for self-control in obeying God's Holy Bible.