Self Control – A Formula For Honest Living

1. What does this mean?

1) Study – In this context it means to have an ambition or desire for superiority.

2) Quiet – is used in a figurative sense here, a quiet life which does not disturb others or attract the wrong kind of attention.

3) The idea then is to desire or be ambitious for the kind of life that isn’t a disturbance and doesn’t bring undue attention to ourselves. The concepts are oxymoronic together.

2. Why ought we to desire and strive such a life?

1) It is better than strife. Proverbs 17:1 “Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.”

2) It is better than burning the candle at both ends. Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”

3) The way of peaceful living is the way to being a child of God ( Matthew 5:9).

3. How do we obtain this quietness in our life?

1) We can pray for it. 1 Timothy 2:2 says that we are to pray “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

2) We can be a righteous people. Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”

3) We can strive for peace with all. Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

1. What does this mean?

1) In the vernacular, it means “Mind your own business.”

2) We have a society today that loves to mind the business of others.

3) The magazine racks in the grocery stores can attest to this fact.

4) The Christian must tend to his own affairs.

5) Paul must re-emphasize this point to the Thessalonians in the second epistle. 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12 “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

6) Busybodies are those who mind the business of others.

7) We are not to be one of these.

2. What does the Bible have to say about minding our own business?

1) Proverbs 22:29 states, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”

2) Daniel was a fine example of this Proverb.

3) We are to do our business with a good attitude. “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” ( Colossians 3:23).

4) If we do not mind our own business, our behavior will become shameful. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” ( 1 Timothy 5:13)

3. Why is this important?

1) Proverbs 1:10-19 tells us the trouble one can get into when he doesn’t tend to his own business.

2) 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

3) Getting into trouble often starts simply by getting involved in someone else’s business.

1. What does this mean?

1) It means to make accomplishments with one’s own efforts toward the support of one’s family and those who are in need.

2) It is a natural consequence of minding our own business.

3) We must tend to the affairs of our own life.

2. Why do we work?

1) To keep us out of trouble.

a. God gave work to man as a consequence of his sin. Genesis 3:17-19.

b. It was as much to keep man away from sin as it was to punish.

c. When we are busy working with our own hands, we don’t have much time to get into trouble.

2) To provide for our own. 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

3) We also need to have to give to others also. Ephesians 4:8 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”

4) Paul speaks to these purposes in Acts 20:34-35 “Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

3. Consider some additional thoughts.

1) Proverbs 14:23 “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”

2) Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”

3) Proverbs 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”