What does it mean to be "self-controlled" according to Titus 1:8? Setting the Stage: Titus 1:8 “Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” The Word Behind “Self-Controlled” • Greek term: enkrates – literally “one who has power over himself.” • Picture: the reins of a horse; the reins are held firmly, guiding desires rather than letting desires run the show. Why It Matters for an Overseer—and for Every Believer 1. Leadership begins with lordship of Christ over personal impulses. 2. The church takes its cues from those who model disciplined lives (1 Timothy 4:12). A Three-Dimensional Look at Self-Control • Mind – “Prepare your minds for action, be sober-minded” (1 Peter 1:13). – Thoughts are corralled; fantasies, worries, and resentments do not dictate behavior. • Body – “I discipline my body and make it my slave” (1 Corinthians 9:27). – Appetites—food, drink, sexuality—are enjoyed within God’s boundaries, never outside them. • Spirit – “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). – The Spirit empowers what the flesh resists, proving self-control is both commanded and gifted. What Self-Control Is NOT • Stoic suppression of emotion. • Legalistic rule-keeping to impress others. • Occasional spurts of willpower. Practical Markers of a Self-Controlled Life 1. Measured speech (James 1:19). 2. Budgeted finances (Luke 16:11). 3. Ordered schedule that prioritizes worship, work, rest. 4. Steady emotional responses—anger, fear, and excitement kept within godly lanes. 5. Digital restraint—screens serve, they don’t enslave (Psalm 101:3 applied). Cultivating Self-Control • Stay Word-saturated (Psalm 119:11). • Pray for Spirit-filled power (Luke 11:13). • Embrace accountability—invite godly friends to speak in (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). • Practice small obediences; victories in “little foxes” (Songs 2:15) prepare for larger battles. • Remember the goal: present every part of yourself as “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13). The Contrast: Life Without Self-Control “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28) • Vulnerable to every invading impulse. • Relationships strained, testimony damaged, fruitfulness diminished. The Encouraging Finish Line 2 Timothy 4:7–8 shows Paul finishing his race with a clear conscience. Self-control contributed to that victorious finale—and the same grace that kept him keeps believers today. |
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