Self-control is more than not eating that last piece of cake. It’s a heart issue. It’s wanting something other than God to fulfill you.

That’s why you need a lot of whatever it is. Alcohol, validation, cake, shoes, etc. Whatever your temptation is, it will never fill you and your high is only temporary. Why then do we lose control and go around the same mountain? Because there is still sin in us fighting for our hearts. It’s sin trying to take over our heart.

But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. – Romans 7:23

 

Does God set us up to fail? It can certainly feel like that some days, but He is faithful and gives us a way out of temptation.

“here hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13

So what do we do? Here are some actions you can take to regain your self-control.

1, Admit your struggle to someone else.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” – Matthew 18:20

2. Listen to advisors – you’re not the only one who struggles. See how others handle it

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” – Proverbs 19:20

3. Replace the bad habit with a good habit. A personal example of this is when I worked to give up my afternoon cup of joe. I still wanted something other than water after lunch so I replaced the coffee with flavored sparkling water or tea. The substitution worked.

4. Pray to find the real root of the issue. Are you trying to numb your feelings? What are trying to escape from?

5. Visualize what your life will be like once you tackle your temptation. Tell temptation who’s boss! Picture tackling this temptation and wrestling it to the ground and how that glorifies God.

There is no doubt that self-control is challenging. My prayer for you today is that you apply one of these actions to your life. That you find a way out from having that 3rd beer, from buying the next pair of shoes, from having that dessert. I pray for the fruit of the spirit to overcome your worldly nature. Jesus has defeated sin. I pray that you live in that assurance. In Jesus name, Amen.