Today we are talking about the 3rd virtue included in the Being a Titus 2 Woman series. This series is based off of the book Feminine Appeal, which shares 7 virtues of a Godly wife and mother from Titus 2:3-5:
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Now we have to remember that the goal of demonstrating these virtues in our lives is so “that the word of God may not be reviled.” Also, we need to remember that we are sinners and we are going to fail at living out these virtues day in and day out. We need the grace of God and the Holy Spirit working in us and through us everyday!
Today we are talking about Self-Control. Whew! I am nervous already! A few weeks ago, I told you about my struggle lately with self-control (Sometimes, I am THE HULK) and my words. Now, I am going to be sharing about self-control…Yikes! Upfront, I just need to say that this is not an area I am great at. However, I am striving to grow in this virtue! And this book gave me a lot of great wisdom about the topic!
Self-control is what we need in order to say no to sinful desires, what we need to follow through on godly desires. Self-control will enable us to meet those goals, decline that chocolate cake, and resist the temptation to lash out at our child.
Now, “self-control doesn’t just happen. We can’t adopt the indifferent attitude “let go and let God” and expect magically to become self-controlled. Self-control requires effort. However, development of this quality is not solely dependent upon us. We cannot acquire this virtue by our own strength. It is only as we cooperate with the power of the Holy Spirit that we will achieve self-control” (pg. 65). If I try to become self-controlled by myself, I will fail. It is only through Christ that I can even begin to achieve this virtue.
For a starting point, Carolyn says (pg.67) we need to realize our sinful desires,
The first step in constructing this wall of self-control is to acknowledge one simple yet hideous fact about ourselves: We like to sin! This may not be easy to concede, but it’s true…Admitting to these ungodly delights is the starting point in our quest for self-control…When we recognize self-control as the virtue that spares us from sin’s negative consequences, we will welcome it eagerly as our friend.
So, instead of getting rude with my husband when I am upset and demeaning him and showing him disrespect, I could use self-control. I would realize I was getting upset, choose to not talk until I calm down (Therefore, not sinning), then not say things that would hurt my husband to the core (Not suffering the consequence).
In this chapter, Carolyn also talks about our eating habits, sleeping habits, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It is packed full of great wisdom!
You can enter in the giveaway by leaving a comment below.
Ashley, a great topic on Self Control. Thank you for sharing. Blessings.
Wow, I need to read this book! Self-control is an area that I really struggle with when it comes to my temper. Thanks for reminding me that I have to work at it and not just leave it completely up to God.
Wonderfull. Very convicting!
juliebrantner@gmail.com
Definetely something to think about and check my actions. Thank you for hitting on tough subjects.
I would love to win this book!
artandjen at juno dot com
SO many areas of my life where I could exercise more self-control… where should I start?
Mmmm… in our culture this is definitely a topic that needs to be touched on more often! We live in such a self-centered world…. the thought of depriving ourselves of something is so foreign isn't it?
Boy, I really need to work on self control, especially about eating! :)
Wow this chapter sounds like it has a lot of great stuff in it.
[...] and Giveaway Loving Our Husband Loving Our Children Self-Control Purity Working at Home Kindness Submission Final Review of [...]