Proverbs 25:28

                               "A person without self-control
           is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out"

 

  - When a person receives/accepts Christ as their Savior they are

 

trusting not in their own beliefs, or loyalty to God, or their good

 

deeds as the way to eternal life, but trusting in the life,

 

crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus as the way to eternal life

 

and the one & true living God. The new believer should be water

 

baptized as a symbol to the world of their spiritual death and

 

resurrection with Christ, and then pray for the baptism of the Holy

 

Spirit which is being filled with the power & spirit of God.

 

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential to the Christian in

 

learning or walking in self-control,  and self-control is the

 

cornerstone of not only adulthood, but as well godliness. A believer

 

who is wise, prosperous, loving, kind, and humble, but without self-

 

control will find themselves in the many snares and hardships of

 

life, and on the other side of God's grace & mercy in His firm hands

 

of discipline (Proverbs 5:23 - "He will die for lack of self-

 

control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.").

 

Self-control begins with knowing & receiving the power of God by the

 

baptism of His Holy Spirit, knowing & accepting the ways of God and

 

His Spirit, and then exercising authority over (commanding) oneself

 

to follow/obey and walk in the power and ways of God & His Holy

 

Spirit - it is a gripping but edifying process.