Self Control
October 2025

Definition: The ability to resist certain natural feelings or desires. The ability to discipline or deny yourself for greater good and goals. The willingness and power to make some of your desires or preferences secondary.

Fire Pit Discussion: Focus Group

1. Discuss the definition.

2. Historical events that illustrate self control.

a. Civil Rights in the 1960’s: Choose non-violence when they were mistreated and beaten.

3. References in Bible:

a. Moses shows a lack of self control when he kills the Egyptian. Exodus 2: 11-14.

b. Joseph show self control by not taking revenge on his brothers. Genesis 45:1-15.

4. Illustrated in the life of Jesus

a. Mathew 16: 24 “deny self”

b. John 18&19: Jesus endured the trial and the cross. He had the power and the right to stop it at any moment. Instead He exercised self control and suffered and died for the sins of the world.

5. Application: Where are most of my “battle fields” with self control?