Is it possible to exercise self-control?

2 Peter 1:5-6Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness.

According to Scripture, sin will reign in our lives until Jesus Christ breaks its power over us (read Romans 5:21). Since Jesus has the power over sin itself, he certainly has the power to help us fight against it.

2 Corinthians 3:17The Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:22-23The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Self-control is promised through the power of the Holy Spirit. He works in us to bring freedom from the drives and desires that distract us from living for God. Interestingly, self-control is the last fruit listed among the fruit of the Spirit, serving as an over-all evidence of God’s leading in our lives. Our practice of all the Spirit’s fruit is improved when self-control is being exercised.