Overcoming Sin through Christ

A Comprehensive List of Sins

(Alphabetically Arranged)

Richard Hollerman

The plan of this study is simple.  We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically.  We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry.  Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.

Lack of Self-control or Self-discipline

When we think of self-control, we think of the Greek enkrateia and enkrates.  These words mean, “to have power over oneself” and thus, “able to hold oneself in.”[1][1]  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and is a virtue that we must add to our faith (2 Peter 1:6).  We might remember that Paul discussed with Felix “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come,” and “Felix became frightened” (Acts 24:25).  This governor definitely lacked both righteousness and self-control, for he was “married” to his third wife, Drusilla (v. 24).

Jesus charged that the Pharisees and scribes were corrupt “inside” for they were “full of robbery and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25).  Paul says that during the last days difficult times will come and will be “without self-control” (2 Timothy 3:1, 3), and we are to “avoid such men as these” (v. 5).

This sin is rampant in our day of ease, selfishness, self-gratification, and self-satisfaction.  People generally lack self-control in all of their dealings and relationships.  Unmarried people live in the state of fornication and do not remain pure until marriage unites them with a life-long partner (Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 13:4).  People do not maintain a self-control over their appetites and eat whatever they want, regardless of the health-destroying effects on their body (Philippians 3:19).  They refuse to exercise, manifesting their unwillingness to be in control of their own bodies (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).  People do not control their use of time, thus they waste precious moments throughout the day (Ephesians 5:15-16).  They do not control their mouth, thus they slander, gossip, curse, use profanity, and do not know when to remain silent (Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:19).  Lack of self-control surely is a leading sin in our day

Just as self-control is a character quality and fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so the lack of self-control manifests a fleshly focus that willingly indulges the flesh for the purpose of self-gratification (cf. Galatians 5:16; 6:7-8).  Satan hates self-control for he wants us to gratify the flesh and walk according to his evil designs.  Self-control will enable us to have mastery of our mouth (James 3:2-12), our mind (1 Peter 1:13), and our body (1 Corinthians 9:27).  If we lack this virtue, Satan will entice us to freely sin.

 

[1][1] Richards, Expository Dictionary.