Part 9 | Self-Control: Who’s Really in Charge?
Titus 2:1-8; 11-14 | October 11th, 2026
Juan Carlos Heredia, Pastor – Spanish Ministry – SCBC
Our desires are remarkably convincing attorneys.
- Galatians 5:22–23 (NET) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Even good desires can become bad masters.
- Titus 2:1-8 (NET) 1 But as for you, communicate the behavior that goes with sound teaching. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in endurance. 3 Older women likewise are to exhibit behavior fitting for those who are holy, not slandering, not slaves to excessive drinking, but teaching what is good. 4 In this way they will train the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, fulfilling their duties at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the message of God may not be discredited. 6 Encourage younger men likewise to be self-controlled, 7 showing yourself to be an example of good works in every way. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and a sound message that cannot be criticized, so that any opponent will be at a loss, because he has nothing evil to say about us.
God’s grace trains us to govern desires that once governed us.
- Titus 2:11-14 (NET) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. 12 It trains us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 as we wait for the happy fulfillment of our hope in the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave himself for us to set us free from every kind of lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are truly his, who are eager to do good.
Acknowledging a desire doesn’t require obeying it.
“Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.”
Augustine of Hippo
A better diagnostic question is: “Can I tell it no?”
Two motivations help us practice the self-control grace is teaching us:
1. Let your love for someone outweigh your desire for something.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 14 For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised.
2. Consider the lasting cost of a momentary satisfaction.
Choose your response before your impulse chooses it for you.
“When I’m tempted to __________, I will pause, ask the Holy Spirit for help, and __________ instead.”