He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls (Proverbs 25:28).

The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:5-6, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.” “Temperance” in the scripture above is the Greek word, “egkrateia,” which means holding yourself in. It also means self-control; the ability to keep your cool and maintain your composure even when others try to ride roughshod over you.

Imagine you were driving, and a careless driver bumped your car, instead of apologising, he even got abusive. What would you do? Would you pour invectives at him? Some may even alight from their car to engage in a brawl. No! That’s not for the Christian. Irrespective of the situation, restrain yourself from any form of altercation or bandy of words. This doesn’t mean you’re naïve; rather, you’re simply living out your true nature—the Christ-nature and kingly life in you.

As a Christian, you can’t afford to live carelessly; you must be able to hold yourself in from doing or saying things that could cast dent on your Christian character. Consciously train yourself to exercise moderation in all things.
An athlete who’s gunning for a new record at the games, for example, can’t afford to live carelessly prior to the games, because it’ll affect his performance. There’re things he’d have to endure to keep fit. He may not like some of those things, but because he has his eyes on the prize, he’d have to endure them. This is the picture the Word creates for us in admonishing that you add temperance to your faith.

It’s not okay to do whatever you feel like doing; always hold yourself from within. If you couldn’t do it, God wouldn’t have asked you to. Self-control is in your spirit, and to be activated when the need arises. Someone without self-control is like a city without walls, which the enemy can plunder at any time. Don’t be that way. Fortify yourself, your life, your spirit, against the adversary; and one of the ways to do that is to have rule over your spirit: self-control.

PRAYER
*Dear Father, I thank you for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in me. I’m disciplined, cultured, and temperate in all things. As the epistle and icon of Christ, I manifest excellence and righteousness always, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY: Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord [is] at hand.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Philippians 4:4-23,
Isaiah 42-43
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 4:10-18,
1 Kings 12