How to Control My Emotions Self-control and the correct behavior How to Control My Emotions

How to Control My Emotions ―All things are lawful for me but all things are not helpful‖ (1Corinthians 6:12)

How to Control My Emotions Should emotions be controlled or fully expressed?

How to Control My Emotions If so, when and how?

The Powers of the Human Self There are three powers that conflict with each other within the human self. These are: Desires These include all instinctive inclinations and all the tendencies that arise in the heart of man, whether these tendencies are good or bad. Will (ego) This is the power that controls desires as it allows some desires to see light while it prevents others from being released according to the power of the stimulus. Conscience (Superego) This is the voice that God put in man. It grows through the work of the Holy Spirit although it is affected by many educational and social factors. It reproaches man when he sins.

The Powers of the Human Self These powers that conflict with each other within the human self have different results. For example, when the desire is strong and the will is weak, this desire sees light so conscience complains and rejects it. The opposite is true when the desires are good and the will let them appear. In this case conscience is satisfied.

The three different outcomes i) Immorality: It means the release of all desires. However, this is socially, medically and biologically impossible. Desire Will Conscious

immorality Socially: for example the society does not allow us to respond freely to our sexual desires. Alternatively, a soldier may escape from a battlefield responding to life instinct and any man may kill anyone who may annoy him.

immorality Medically: Immorality is dangerous to both mental and physical health. Since satisfying the instinct creates more desires and more hunger as instincts are never satisfied. This destroys the physical and mental health of man.

immorality Biologically: Immorality contradicts the natural law for example immorality contradicts marital loyalty as one spouse may deviate and be unfaithful saying that it is necessary for the desires to be released.

The three different outcomes ii) Repression: This is the outcome of so many desires being rejected by the will, therefore man lives as a prey to his suppressed desires and he tries to prevent them from seeing light so he becomes at a loss and suffers from tensions as there is a distance between what he wants to do and what he really does. If the case becomes more serious, the repressed vapor explodes and destroys the container of life and may lead to immorality with all its disadvantages or for psychiatric disorders. Desire Will Conscious

The three different outcomes iii) Control: Control, as a Christian concept is another thing, as grace causes radical changes in the power of the human self. Desire Will Conscious

CONTROL with god’s grace Desires: The Holy Spirit weakens physical desires and fills the heart with other holy desires such as prayer, service and love for others.

CONTROL with god’s grace Will: The Holy Spirit supports the will ―God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure‖ (Philippians 2:13). The will does not feel the heaviness of the evil desires (because the Holy Spirit has weakened them) so there is no more repression, but there is easy control with the help of grace.

CONTROL with god’s grace Conscience: The Holy Spirit increases its sensitivity, but conscience becomes perfectly clear as life goes on in the right way and the forgiveness of sins are fulfilled by the blood of Christ. Thus Christianity gives us the chance to build up the good and sound personality. This is not the case with immorality and repression, which are destructive factors.

Results of inner self-CONTROL with god’s grace Combat instinct of sin and struggle against it and use the Holy Spirit to looking forward to eternity. You stop being selfish and direct your emotions to love and honour your God and each other.

How do we use god’s grace in self control But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (1 Corinthians 11:28)

How do we use god’s grace in self control Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:16)

How do we use god’s grace in self control For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)

How do we use god’s grace in self control Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)

Self control - conclusion Self control and control of the desires is an important Christian concept that we should train ourselves to practice in our daily life. We should be great example and encourage others to practice self control.

Self control - application Find one of your bad instinct and practice self control.