Proverbs Managing Your Self

“A person without Self-control is like a city with broken down walls “A person without Self-control is like a city with broken down walls.” (25:28 NLT)

Nehemiah 1:3. “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Proverbs covers many areas of self-control such as temptations to: Sexual immorality Greed Laziness Alcohol Anger Pride Misuse of words Joining gangs, And more …  

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy one is understanding.” (9:10) The Fear of Lord means awe, wonder and delight, which leads to worship and faithfulness.

“Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” Proverbs 29:18 We need an ongoing revelation of God to protect us from being our own worst enemies.

Paul’s prayer for Ephesians in 1:17-19. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Wisdom for Managing my Tongue Speak as if it’s the last thing you might say to that person.

1. Wisdom is found in Truthful and Honest words Rather than Deceptiveness: A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies… (12:17 Truthful lips endure for ever but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment. (12:19) There is deceit in the heart of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.(12:20) The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.” (12:22)

Type of lie Root What we get out of it Convenience Selfishness or Laziness Our own interests are served Cowardliness Fear Denial or pretence about something to avoid trouble Conceitedness Pride To look good, impress or because we don’t feel good enough Calculated lie Manipulation If I only give part of the truth they’ll do this for me. Cruel lie Malevolence We want to hurt someone or make them look bad.

2. Wisdom is found in Kind and Gentle Speech Rather than Harshness: A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (15:1) Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (25:15)

3. Wisdom is found in Wise and Apt Speech Rather than Carelessness: A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (25:11)

3. Managing my temper Consider the consequences. Proverbs 29:22, “A hot-tempered man commits many sins.” Proverbs 15:18, “A hot-tempered man causes dissension.” Proverbs 14:17 “A quick tempered man does foolish things.”

4. Self control is a fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Self-control is above all founded upon: learning to walk daily with God in the fear of the Lord, trusting in Jesus the wisdom of God and keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.