What does self control and walls have in common?

[Mountainmanbob]

Proverbs 25:28

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

M-Bob

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Do you think or believe this is very common on earth, or not so common ?

Secondary question: If someone has some kind of self-control, but without faith in Jesus, will it help them, according to Scripture... ? Can they even have self-control without faith in Jesus ?

 

[com7fy8]

I think self control like a wall includes having character which is immune to "bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking" and "all malice" > Ephesians 4:31-32 > plus immune to lusts and unforgiveness.

And @yeshuaslavejeff > I don't think an unbeliever has this kind of self control. Only in God's love do we have His almighty immunity against fear and its various sorts of "torment" > 1 John 4:17-18.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Walls can be broken, climbed over, dug under, etc etc etc

"Self control" might have many problems also .

This (secular? article) just found is obviously not the only, and maybe not the best answer,
but makes very good points for believers and unbelievers alike >>>
...... "lead me not into temptation" ..... seems Biblically to fit here too.....


www . nytimes.com/2018/06/10/smarter-living/improve-self-control.html

"A 2011 study that examined how people deal with self-control found that those of us who are best at it aren’t more strong-willed or dedicated: They simply experience temptation less.

In fact, the very idea that we can improve our self-control is in question: A 2016 study found that “training self-control through repeated practice does not result in generalized improvements in self-control.”

In other words, don’t beat yourself up over a lack of self-control: We’re wired to be bad at it. But that’s not the end of the story.

Enter effortless self-control.

Instead of trying to will yourself to resist temptation — which, as we now know, is all but impossible — the trick to winning those battles is to remove the temptation outright.

Let’s say you want to spend less time on your smartphone while at work. Rather than face a decision every time your device lights up with an Instagram notification, pop your smartphone in a drawer so you’re never confronted with that decision in the first place.

The benefits here are twofold. The first is the obvious victory of achieving whatever goal you’re trying to accomplish — here, you’re able to focus on your work without being constantly interrupted by a smartphone begging for your attention.

But the added benefit comes from the act of removing the temptation: A study from last year found that just experiencing temptation — regardless of whether we succumb to it — can leave us feeling depleted, which in turn inhibits our ability to achieve our goals."

I think self control like a wall includes having character which is immune to "bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking" and "all malice" > Ephesians 4:31-32 > plus immune to lusts and unforgiveness.

And @yeshuaslavejeff > I don't think an unbeliever has this kind of self control. Only in God's love do we have His almighty immunity against fear and its various sorts of "torment" > 1 John 4:17-18.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Secondary question: If someone has some kind of self-control, but without faith in Jesus, will it help them, according to Scripture... ? Can they even have self-control without faith in Jesus ?

I have known and do know many non-believers with very great self-control. Too bad that it will not get them into heaven.
M-Bob

 

[Mountainmanbob]

What Does the Bible Say About Self-control?

100 Bible verses regarding self control.
For the believer who is lacking in self-control this is something that we should be working on with the help of the Lord.
M-Bob

 

[com7fy8]

Proverbs 25:28

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

So, according to this translation, there is such a thing as self-control.

But a serial predator can control oneself while there is a police officer nearby.

But what about self-control which is included in the fruit of the Holy Spirit? I would say this would not be the same.

And, yes, humans on our own can fail in self-control, since Jesus says, "without Me you can do nothing" (in John 15:5).

But yes if we control ourselves to put something which can be distracting out of the way, yes this can help, but it does not solve the problem of however our nature makes us available to Satan's spirit "who now works in the sons of disobedience" (in Ephesians 2:2). We need how God changes our nature so we can not be violated and corrupted and weakened to do wrong things. The self-control of the Holy Spirit's love in us is almighty so with God it is possible to easily make temptation stuff of Satan flee.

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

This is possible with God. And we grow in this, I would say, as we grow in Jesus.

Also, we can exercise to get stronger, as we keep saying no to arguing and complaining and other anti-love things > Philippians 2:13-16.

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Yes, in our self-control which is of love, we have ability to forgive "even as God". Because God in us shares this with us, by means of His grace almighty which is so unconditionally loving and so generously forgiving. As we get stronger in such forgiving which is living in God's love, we become also stronger against any evil drives and feelings and deceptive thinking of temptation. So, we trust You, God our Father, for this real correction which only You are able to do in us; thank You; amen . . . . . . . .

 

[Mountainmanbob]

Since we are called to do it self control should be one of the goals of all Christians. Easier for some harder for others. One of my many battles.
M-Bob