SELF-CONTROL

It is the ability to control one's behaviour or to restrain ones feelings, most especially from doing the wrong thing or going the wrong way.
And to this, Solomon was quick to say:
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.(Proverbs 25:28)

It follows that we should be able to exercise control over our behaviour. We should be careful of what we say or do. See, what we say or do is influenced by what we see or hear. Thus, selfcontrol is so important; regardless of our gifts, abilities, positions or achievements, as it puts us on check.

Apostle Paul could not hide his feelings as he began to gravitate along this line:

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beat the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.(1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

He was comparing the fact that those who strive for a physical crown or mastery are temperate or exercises setf-control, much more those who strive for an etemal crown.

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The point being made is that mastery, excellence or maturity is gotten by self-control. Thus, he had to bring his body under subjection. Honey, self-control is the ability to be able to disciple your emotions or feelings with the word of God.
The need to be temperate or exercise self-control or setfrestraint is very much important as there will be cases of emotions or feelings of hatred, anger or even lust.

Exercising self-control or self-restraint rather than an outburs, of a feeling of hatred, anger or lust; keeps you in check and a!so gives you a sense of maturity in your walk with God.
And just like Apostle Paul ...lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away.

It is shocking to hear this from such a great reformer and expositor of Biblical truth. In spite of all his gifting, exploits and revelation; he was quick to say: But I keep under my body, and bring it to subjection...

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He never felt that he had arrived or become too used to God, as not to still be able to derail from His ways.
And as a way of emphasis, he added:
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.(1 Corinthians 10:12)

Thus, as in continuation of chapter nine; wherein he stressed the relevance of self-control, using himself as a case study: he began in chapter ten to talk about the fathers of old, and how some of them could not exercise self-control or restraint of their emotions of hatred, anger or lust. And as a result of this, some suffered a shipwreck in their walk with God.

It was captured as follows:
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:5-11)

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Thus, this is quite explanatory as those who could not exercise a sense of self-restraint or control in their feelings of lust, anger or hatred; were faced with grave consequences. Dear, this should not be treated with levity.
There is no height you have attained in God that you cannot slip away. In fact, the higher you go the slipper it becomes and the chances for you to stray away from Him, except you exercise self-control or restraint.

King David was cut up in this web, when he felt God had fully established him. Indeed, he was reckoned as a man after the heart of God, but due to self-restraint; he slept with Uriah's wife (l Kings 11:1-5).
Sweetie, the place of self-control or self-restraint cannot be over emphasized.

Thus, you must continue to:
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Dear, be always conscious of your walks with Him as you renew your mind daily with the word of God (Romans 12:1-3)