Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of being "controlled" often relates to self-control, a virtue that is highly esteemed in Scripture. Self-control is considered a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in
Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Self-control is the ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. It is a critical aspect of Christian living, as it reflects a life that is led by the Holy Spirit rather than by the desires of the flesh. In
2 Timothy 1:7 , Paul writes, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control." This verse emphasizes that self-control is a gift from God, enabling believers to live in a manner that honors Him.
The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of self-control.
Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." This imagery highlights the vulnerability and chaos that can result from a lack of self-discipline. Conversely, a person who exercises self-control is likened to a fortified city, secure and stable.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for self-control in the life of a believer. In
1 Corinthians 9:25 , he uses the metaphor of an athlete to illustrate the discipline required in the Christian life: "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable." Here, Paul underscores the eternal significance of self-control, contrasting it with the temporary rewards of earthly pursuits.
Self-control is also closely linked to the concept of being controlled by the Holy Spirit. In
Romans 8:5-6 , Paul contrasts those who live according to the flesh with those who live according to the Spirit: "Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace." This passage suggests that true self-control is not merely a human effort but is empowered by the Spirit of God.
The Bible also warns against being controlled by sinful desires or external influences. In
Ephesians 5:18 , Paul advises, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." This instruction highlights the dangers of allowing substances or other external factors to dictate one's actions, advocating instead for a life led by the Spirit.
In summary, the biblical concept of being "controlled" is primarily associated with self-control, a virtue that is both a personal responsibility and a divine enablement. It is essential for living a life that is pleasing to God, marked by discipline, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Control.
Greek
1468. egkrates -- strong, master of, self-controlled... strong, master of, self-
controlled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: egkrates
Phonetic Spelling: (eng-krat-ace') Short Definition: self-
controlled...4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... of sound mind, self-controlled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sophron
Phonetic Spelling: (so'-frone) Short Definition: self-controlled, temperate...
3525. nepho -- to be sober, to abstain from wine
... etc.). 3525 ("be sober, unintoxicated") refers to having (clear judgment),
enabling someone to be (self-controlled). 3525 ("uninfluenced...
3356. metriopatheo -- to hold one's emotions in restraint
... 3356 (from , "mediating," derived from , "an instrument for measuring" and 3806 ,
"feeling") -- properly, to , ie with ("God-controlled ")....
4583. seleniazomai -- to be moonstruck, spec. be epileptic...
... epileptic. 4583 (from 4582 , "moon") -- properly, #NAME? -- literally,
"someonecontrolled by the " rather than reason. Word Origin...
3709. orge -- impulse, wrath
... from the verb meaning, 'to teem, to '; and thus implies that it is not a sudden
outburst, but rather (referring to God's) ,controlled, passionate feeling...
Strong's Hebrew
662. aphaq -- to hold, be strong... 661, 662. aphaq. 663 . to hold, be strong. Transliteration: aphaq Phonetic
Spelling: (aw-fak') Short Definition:
controlled. Word Origin a prim.
...Library
Whether Every Passion of the Soul is Evil Morally?
... appetite. Wherefore they esteem them good, when they arecontrolled by
reason; and evil when they are notcontrolled by reason....
Love Worketh no Ill to his Neighbor; Therefore Love is the...
... They are not directly dependent on the will, orcontrolled by a direct act of will....
But they may always becontrolled by the will in an indirect way....
Whether the Degrees of Consanguinity that are an Impediment to...
... Further, even as of old the marriages of pagans werecontrolled by the civil
law, so now is marriagecontrolled by the laws of the Church....
The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of...
... For everything which causes motion is stronger than that which is moved, and
that which controls is stronger than that which iscontrolled....
Shall we Go?
... But He never flinched. He was thinking of us. Our needcontrolled Him.... It
was this compassion thatcontrolled Him those human years....
I was a Wand'ring Sheep.
... I WAS A WAND'RING SHEEP. I was a wand'ring sheep, I did not love the fold: I
did not love my Shepherd's voice, I would not becontrolled....
Christ the Light of the World.
... The distinctive peculiarity of the Israelitish march was that Jehovah was in the
fire, and that He alonecontrolled its movements, and thereby the movements of...
Attributes of Love.
... We also know from consciousness, as was shown in a former lecture, that the voluntary
muscles of the body are directlycontrolled by the will, and that the law...
The Notion of Inability.
... an attribute of these feelings, in such a sense, that under the circumstances, they
will exist in spite of ourselves, and that they cannot becontrolled by a...
Spelling God.
... That first spelling is love. God is love. Love is of God. God is alwayscontrolled
by a purpose in all His dealings with the race, and with you and me....
Thesaurus
Controlled (20 Occurrences)...Controlled (20 Occurrences). Acts 7:39 By whom our fathers would not be
controlled;
but they put him on one side, turning back in their hearts to Egypt, (BBE).
...Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)
Self-controlled. Self-control, Self-controlled. Self-discipline .
Multi-Version Concordance Self-controlled (9 Occurrences)....
Sober (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Not mad or insane; not wild, visionary, or heated with passion; exercising
cool, dispassionate reason; self-controlled; self-possessed....
Self-control (14 Occurrences)
Self-control. Selfcontrol, Self-control. Self-controlled . Noah Webster's
Dictionary... (See RSV NIV). Selfcontrol, Self-control. Self-controlled ....
Natures (12 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 8:5 For if men arecontrolled by their earthly natures, they
give their minds to earthly things. If they arecontrolled...
Serious-minded (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his...
Guests (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his...
Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 8:5 For if men arecontrolled by their earthly natures, they
give their minds to earthly things. If they arecontrolled...
Opening (242 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 3:2 The Bishop, then, is to be a man of good name, the husband of one
wife, self-controlled, serious-minded, having respect for order, opening his...
Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
...
Resources
Is a believer supposed to be able to feel the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible mind control? | GotQuestions.orgHas Israel's territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4? | GotQuestions.orgControlled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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