The concept of being "mastered" in the Bible often relates to the idea of control, dominion, or authority, whether it be over oneself, others, or circumstances. This term can be explored through various scriptural passages that highlight the importance of self-control, the dangers of being mastered by sin, and the call to submit to God's authority.

Self-Control and Mastery Over Sin

One of the key aspects of being "mastered" in the biblical context is the call to exercise self-control and not be dominated by sinful desires. In Genesis 4:7, God speaks to Cain, warning him about the danger of sin: "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." This passage underscores the necessity of mastering sinful inclinations rather than being mastered by them.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of mastery in relation to sin in Romans 6:12-14: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace." Here, Paul emphasizes that believers, through the grace of God, are empowered to resist being mastered by sin.

Mastery and Self-Control

The Bible frequently highlights the virtue of self-control as a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of spiritual maturity. In Proverbs 25:28, it is written, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." This proverb illustrates the vulnerability and chaos that result from a lack of mastery over one's own impulses and desires.

In the New Testament, self-control is listed among the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." The presence of self-control in a believer's life is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work, enabling them to master their own behaviors and choices.

Mastery and Authority

The Bible also speaks to the concept of mastery in terms of authority and leadership. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate Master, exemplifies servant leadership. In Matthew 23:10-11, Jesus instructs His disciples, "Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant." Here, Jesus redefines mastery and authority as service and humility, contrasting worldly views of power and control.

Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul speaks of disciplining his body to ensure he is not disqualified from his mission: "No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." This passage highlights the importance of mastery over one's own body and desires in the pursuit of spiritual goals and responsibilities.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of being "mastered" encompasses the call to exercise self-control, resist the dominion of sin, and submit to God's authority. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to master their own desires and live lives that reflect the character of Christ, who is the ultimate example of righteous mastery and authority.(imp. & p. p.) of Master.1850. exousiazo -- to exercise authority over
... 1849 (). Word Origin from exousia Definition to exercise authority over NASB
Word Usage have authority over (3), mastered (1). exercise ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1850.htm - 7k

192. akrasia -- want of power
... properly, without prevailing (taking dominion), ie the inability to maintain control;
(figuratively) without self-control and hence mastered by personal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/192.htm - 7k

1468. egkrates -- strong, master of, self-controlled
... Cognate: 1468 (see 1466 ) -- properly, self-controlled -- literally, "mastered from
within" (used only in Tit 1:8); "originally, 'having power over; possessed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1468.htm - 7k

The Honored Servant
... When he had so mastered us we longed to lie forever at his feet and weep ourselves
away; or, we wished to sit forever at his feet and listen to his wondrous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the honored servant.htm

Predestination. (I, xviii, Etc. )
... The man would not be mastered, but if mastered is not crushed. He questions each
moment of his own sufferings, each moment of his people's oncoming doom. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 predestination i xviii etc.htm

Eighth Tractate. On Free-Will and the Will of the One.
... My own reading is that, moving as we do amid adverse fortunes, compulsions, violent
assaults of passion crushing the soul, feeling ourselves mastered by these ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate on free-will and.htm

The First Games
... Is it surprising if this quick and supple intelligence, who mastered without effort,
and as if by instinct, the encyclopaedic knowledge of his age, who found ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... on his first book, De pulchro et apto, and his introduction to Aristotle's Categories
and other books of philosophy and theology, which he mastered with great ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

Five Kings in a Cave
... It has mastered me; it has cost me my home, husband and children; now I will master
it." She started at shadows, her nights were nights of horror; she would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/five kings in a cave.htm

The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church
... It is expected that the facts given may be mastered and that an interest may be
created which will lead to further study upon the subjects treated. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/

Preface.
... And the terse, vigorous, incisive sentences of Tertullian, when once the obscurities
of meaning have been mastered, run more easily into English than the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/preface.htm

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
... On the other hand, the holy Apostle Paul calls fasting, watching and labor godly
weapons, with which unchastity is mastered; but, as has been said above, these ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not commit adultery.htm

Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of ...
... But even her who was left, the devil would have taken away long ago, but that he
kept her to be his helper: because by Eve he had mastered the first man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the creeds/section 9 of his cross.htm

Mastered (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Master. Multi-Version Concordance
Mastered (3 Occurrences). Acts 19:16 And the man in whom ...
/m/mastered.htm - 7k

Over-mastered (1 Occurrence)
Over-mastered. Overmastered, Over-mastered. Overmasters .
Multi-Version Concordance Over-mastered (1 Occurrence). Acts ...
/o/over-mastered.htm - 6k

Violence (98 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was sprang on two of them, over-mastered
them both, and treated them with such violence, that they fled from the ...
/v/violence.htm - 38k

Overmasters (1 Occurrence)

/o/overmasters.htm - 6k

Overmastered (1 Occurrence)

/o/overmastered.htm - 6k

Treated (69 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was sprang on two of them, over-mastered
them both, and treated them with such violence, that they fled from the ...
/t/treated.htm - 26k

Demas (3 Occurrences)
... It appears, however, that the love of the world afterwards mastered him, and he
deserted the apostle (2 Timothy 4:10). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DEMAS. ...
/d/demas.htm - 8k

Mastery (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A masterly operation; a feat. 5. (n.) Specifically, the philosopher's stone.
6. (n.) The act process of mastering; the state of having mastered. Int. ...
/m/mastery.htm - 9k

Master-builder (1 Occurrence)
Master-builder. Masterbuilder, Master-builder. Mastered . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (WEY BBE WBS YLT). Masterbuilder, Master-builder. Mastered . ...
/m/master-builder.htm - 6k

Masteries (1 Occurrence)

/m/masteries.htm - 6k

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