1 Cor. 6:12-20, Self-Control (4)

Here are two other life issues that demand self-control.

·       Hunger/thirst (vs. gluttony, drunkenness).

o   Prov. 23:20-21: Do not mix with winebibbers, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.

o   Prov. 25:16: Have you found honey?  Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit.  Seems rather straightforward.

o   Deut. 21:18-21: These lack-of-control sins likely give evidence of a stubborn and rebellious heart.

o   John 6:26-27; Matt. 4:4; Rom. 14:17: These go together.  Many of the 5000 people Jesus fed came looking for Him the next day, but only for more food.  The righteous control the “hunger and thirst” desires because they know we do not live by bread alone.  They know the kingdom of God does not revolve around food and drink.

o   Jeremiah 35 contains a great illustration of God’s blessing on those who understood and controlled their appetites.

·       Marital intimacy (vs. fornication).  Scripture has a lot to say about this.  It might be a “sensitive” subject but it cannot be neglected in the matter of self-control.

o   1 Cor. 6:12-20: This is a major encouragement to self-control.  Notice how it begins: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful, All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.  Self-control (not being brought under the power of my desires) is required for me to think about whether my planned course is helpful or not.

o   Matt. 5:28: Jesus addressed the control of the thought-life when dealing with sexual immorality.

o   Proverbs is full of help on this subject, particularly Prov. 5.  A careful study of this passage will yield a lot of helpful information (knowledge) that will provide a basis for self-control in dealing with pornography.

o   1 Thess. 4:3-8: Another important passage, with application that includes control of one’s own body, and not living in passionate lust.

o   1 Tim. 5:2: How a man treats any and all women requires self-control.

o   2 Tim. 2:22: Self-control is required to fulfill this command: Flee youthful lusts.

o   Two contrasting illustrations of this are found in David (2 Sam. 11:1-5), whose adultery began with “accidentally” seeing a naked woman; and in Joseph (Gen. 39) who fled fornication and still got thrown in prison for something he didn’t to (but, of course, it actually was a God-planned step to his becoming the number two ruler of Egypt).