1 Tim. 6:5-10; James 3:6-12, Self-Control (3)

Let us continue to consider how self-control relates to the issues of life.

·       Daily provision (vs. desiring to be rich or extravagant).

o   Prov. 28:22: A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.  “Hastens” is what indicates lack of self-control. He doesn’t take time to think about financial decisions.

o   Prov. 3:9-10: On the other hand, the man who hastens to honor God with his money is blessed by God.  In other words, when he gets a paycheck he has the self-control to give to the Lord, even before paying the rent or buying groceries.

o   1 Tim. 6:5-10: This passage contrasts love of money with contentment, a Christ-like quality that has a lot to do with self-control.

o   Matt. 6:19-21: Saving money takes a measure of self-control.  Using money for the Lord’s work and glory takes even more.  Yet, one is far richer for doing so.

o   Prov. 20:14: A thrifty person has the self-control to find a better price.

o   Prov. 27:23-24: Taking care of one’s possessions, fixing broken fences, sharpening your axe, all these do not see immediate profit but have long term profitability.  It takes self-control to make time for these things.

o   An illustration of this is found in Luke 12:13-21, the parable of the man who laid up treasure for himself but was not rich toward God.

·       Expression (vs. a corrupt tongue).  It should be easy in these passages to see how self-control is essential in controlling the tongue.  As James said: No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (Jas. 3:8).

o   Prov. 15:28: The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 

o   Prov. 18:13: He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.  More than once I remember coming home, breaking up a tiff between kids, meting out punishment, only to hear my wife say, “You disciplined the wrong kid.” 

o   Pr. 21:23: Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

o   Eph. 4:29: A tongue under the Spirit’s control increases the likelihood of fulfilling this command: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

o   Matt. 12:36-37: The importance of controlling the tongue is seen in Jesus warning that, in the matter of receiving or rejecting Him, idle words about Him will be accounted for in the day of judgment.

o   Prov. 12:19: A lying tongue is but for a moment.

o   Psalm 141:3: Here is a daily prayer to pray. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.