A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls (Proverbs 25:28 ESV)

Emotional maturity is a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity and a requirement for successful relationships, stable homes, careers, and societies. Therefore, if emotional stability is that important, we can only envision the havoc that results in relationships, homes, and communities when people are emotionally unstable or immature. But are there signs to help us know how emotionally mature we are?

The Bible gives us one subtle but reliable sign to gauge our emotional maturity and stability. The scriptures call it self-control. A lack of self-control is a dependable biblical indicator of emotional immaturity, instability, or incontinence.

Self-control is just what it says: the ability to control ourselves. And the most critical aspect of ourselves we have to control is our emotions. Since we experience emotions passively, in response to experiences in life, we cannot always control the initial step our feelings take. However, self-control shines in how we handle the emotions that show up in our hearts. Solomon says in Proverbs 25:28 that anyone without self-control, who goes whatever their feelings lead, is like a city that is broken down without walls. 

The Bible encourages us to control negative emotions such as anger, fear, discouragement, or sadness and cultivate positive emotions such as love, joy, or hope. An emotionally healthy believer leverages the power of the Holy Spirit to control negative emotions while promoting positive emotions in their lives. 

Read more: The Grace of Self-Control.

Are you emotionally mature, stable, or continent? 

Apply the Word

Emotionally unstable or immature people cannot sustain a successful relationship, keep a stable home or even maintain a healthy work-life. If we do not control our emotions, our emotions will control us. They know of only one direction to take our marriages, careers, well-being, relationships when they are in control—they will take us down into the slump. Let the Spirit help you become emotionally mature and stable.

Ask the Father to help you become emotionally mature at home, work, school, or ministry.

Recommended

• How to Rule Over Your Own Spirit 
• The Grace of Self-Control
• Emotional Healing for Broken Hearts
• Emotional potency of words
• When I Became a Man
• View All Deshen Daily Devotionals

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