Self Control

and Maturity
{Growing in the Right Direction}
Have You Ever Noticed?

This should give us
all hope, because it
is proof that the
Christian life will
not get harder, but
instead will become
easier if we live it
well.

When you get older you
become a cemented version
of whatever you have
practiced your entire life.
Your memory might begin
to fail you, and your body
might begin to slow down
but the actual, practical,
day-to-day living of the
Christian life should be
getting easier for you to
live, because it has been
your practice.

Why 1 Corinthians 7?
Here Paul talks about
how a husband and
wife should treat each
other sexually, but
from this passage and
the surrounding
context we can also
learn how we can
practice self-control
and grow towards
maturity in every area
of our lives.
{Looking at the Text}
Paul has been talking to the
Corinthians about how they
can become righteous (6:9-11).
There are some things that are
okay, but not helpful and
therefore best to be avoided
(v.12).
If there is no proper outlet for
whatever it is the body wants; it
cannot be allowed to overcome
(vv.13-20).
Paul has been talking to the
Corinthians about how they
can become righteous (6:9-11).
The only proper outlet for
sexuality is the marriage bed (1
Corinthians 7:1-6).
In marriage, partners need to
help their partner to have an
outlet for, and therefore control,
their sexuality (vv.3-5).
Paul wanted the
Corinthians to learn
self-control to help
them in their pursuit
of righteousness
What can we learn from
this?
We cannot be brought
under the power of anything
that will cause us to look for
fulfilment outside of the
proper boundaries (6:12,
18).
When we neglect to
acknowledge that we have
needs or express them in
the appropriate way, it
leaves room us to be
tempted (7:5).
What can we learn from
this?
NOTE: Getting married has
nothing to do with a lack of
self-control (1 Corinthians
7:2).
From the very beginning,
God said it was not good for
man to be alone (Genesis
2:15).
Please note the key verse, I
suppose therefore that this is
good for the present distress,
I say, that it is good for a man
so to be (v.26).
What can we learn from
this?
We are responsible for
helping our spouse to be
in control of their selves
by taking care of their
needsas much as the
power lies with us (1
Corinthians 7:3-5).
{Applying the Text}
Having control over
our bodies is one of the
biggest challenges we
face.
If we can learn to be in
control over our
bodies, we will be in
control over our whole
selves (1 Corinthians
9:27; James 3:2).
Know Your Weaknesses
(7:7).
We all are tempted by
different things
The first step to overcoming
our struggles is recognizing
and acknowledging what it is
that we struggle with
Having struggles and
temptations is not a sin; you
just need to learn to reduce
your temptations as much as
possible.


Be Aware of Others
Weaknesses (7:5).
Not only do we have to
be mindful of what our
weaknesses are, but also
of other peoples.
Part of exercising self-
control is avoiding things
that will cause someone
else to struggle (Matthew
18:6).


Take Care How You
Use Your Liberty (6:12).
Whether it is because you
might be tempted, or
someone else, you need to
be careful about what you
choose to do.
Realize what it is that you
struggle with, and decide to
avoid even those things that
are not sinful in order to
protect yourself (Matthew
19:21).


Set Up Boundaries (7:1)
There are things that are
definitely wrong, but how
you go about avoiding
them is left up to you
Flee! (6:18).
Identify potentially
tempting situations and
avoid them
Have a plan of attack for
when temptation comes
along

Put Yourself in the Best
Situation Possible (7:2,
9).
God has made you the way
you are for a reason
whatever you struggle with,
you can fill your life with
something to help you
through it.
Proactively seek legal
outlets for whatever it is you
are struggling with (7:2).


Distract Yourself Until You
Can [or if You Cant] (7:32-
34).
If you cant get exactly what it is
you want/need, you need to find
another outlet.
Lack of distraction will result in
sin (cf. 1 Timothy 5:13).
Find something good to put in the
place of whatever it is you are
struggling with in your life, and
throw yourself into it.
Remember the difference
between a wife and a virgin (vv.32-
34).

{Looking Past the Text}
There is a reason that
the Bible talks about
youthful lusts (2
Timothy 2:22).
Sexuality is something
that is harder to control in
our youth
Controlling our sexuality
is, therefore, a mark of
maturity
Just like our sexuality
should become easier to
control, so should all our
thoughts and actions


Make spiritual change a
priority
It is good to eat healthy
and exercise, but when
thats all we can think
about in terms of
discipline, then we need
to evaluate ourselves (1
Timothy 4:4-8; James
1:24, 25).


How can we change our
priorities?
Stop reading/watching
worldly magazines/media.
Start calling sin, sin.
Stop pointing out how fat
or thin people arestart
looking at what they need
spiritually and
emotionally.
Stop looking at how fat or
thin you arestart
thinking about what you
need spiritually.


Have your goal in mind
Decide what you want to
be (Philippians 3:12-18)
Write down what kind of
a person you want to be
Write down what you
want to be able to do
Pick a few women who
inspire you
Stick your goals up on the
fridge/mirror/in a special
notebook with the
corresponding Scriptures



Change one thing at a
time
Write down what it
would take to meet your
goals and choose one
thing to change
You cant expect
spiritual goals to be any
different from worldly
goals.


Suggestions:
Pray for wisdom (James
1:5).
Listen to sermons to
find things to change in
yourself.
Start now for later
Start small.
Once you have
mastered one thing,
keep adding on small
things.


Exercise Self Control:
Know your weaknesses
Be aware of others
weaknesses
Take care how you use your
liberty
Set up boundaries
Put yourself in the best
situation possible
Distract yourself
Go on to Maturity.
Make change a priority
Have your ultimate goal in
mind
Change one thing at a time

The thought of
growing in self
control and
maturity
shouldnt be
something that
depresses us, but
should instead
give us hope.

Take comfort
in knowing
that the
Christian life
will get easier
if you make it
your practice.