SELF CONTROL – To know your boundaries.
I can do all things through Christ Jesus, but not all things are expedient for us to do.
Expedient is a good way to describe self control measures.
Meaning:
- Suitable or advisable under the circumstance
- Serving one’s interest or advantage, rather than what is right.
Much like alcohol references in the bible, the Bible offers no specific laws or commandments to do with consuming alcohol, but there are plenty of warnings of it’s dangers when indulged in excess and plenty of examples from Noah onwards who did not heed the warnings.
Self control is knowing when to say I have had enough.
Proverbs 20 verse 1
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler and whoever is lead astray by it is not wise.”
Again self control is knowing when to say no more.
Proverbs 23 verse 21
“Do not be among winebibbers or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty and drowsiness will clothe them with rags.”
Again Self control do not drink or eat too much.
Ephesians 5 verse 18
“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.”
Again Self control is needed before it leads to other sins.
1 Peter
“You have already spent enough time in doing what the gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness [adjective sexually unrestrained], passions, drunkenness, revels,carousing [ Noisey or drunken gatherings} and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation [ a dissolute way of life] and so they blaspheme [ disrespectfully speak about deity our Lord and Friend]”
But the best example of all for self control would be our Lord and Friend Jesus.
In the Gospel of Luke Jesus says “Father if you are willing, take this cup away from me, nevertheless not My will, but yours be done.”
Jesus shows complete self control to the Father.
Luke 22 verse 54 further along when Jesus was seized and lead away.
Jesus who was incarnate deity (God enclothed in flesh) He could have called the host of heaven to deal with these people, instead He chose Self control for our benefit.
Isaiah 53 verse 7
“He was oppressed and afflicted yet He did not open His mouth, like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearer.”
This was Jesus the creator of the universe letting himself be manhandled so that He could pay the price for our sins on the cross.
The creator died in our place on the cross so we who are sinners would have a way to come boldly into His presence. That is real self control.
So remember this Easter one of the fruits of the spirit that is not always mentioned as a fruit, SELF CONTROL.
ASK YOURSELF A QUESTION EVERY TIME YOU DO SOMETHING: IS THIS EXPEDIENT FOR ME TO DO? WILL IT BRING GLORY TO MY LORD MY FRIEND?
GOD BLESS
O F J
My Lord, My Friend 
Sadly, society today teaches that self control is old fashioned and should be discarded. The results of that are evident all around us!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write to us, your comments are very uplifting. One of the purpose of this ministry is to get people to enjoy reading the Bible, because it is the most wonderful source of encouragement. God Bless. OFJ. {Old Fellow John}