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January 23, 2004
Self-Control
Filed under: Hot Topic
The dictionary defines self-control as:
Control of one's self; restraint exercised over one's self; self-command.
It seems as though self-control meant the same thing in the Old Testament as it did in the New Testament - not surprising, but obviously and age old dilemma. Proverbs 25:28 says "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." What do you think of when you think of a city being broken down? Defenseless, weak, disgraced, broken, etc. So when we lack self-control, we are defenseless, weak, disgraced and broken. No thanks!
I think one of the biggest needed areas for self-control is in the sexuality department. It (sexuality) is perhaps one of the strongest forces in human beings and also one demanding proper usage and context, thus the bridge of self-control is needed to properly align this privilege. Paul speaks to this
very issue in 1 Corinthians 7 when he is admonishing people not to marry, but to go ahead if they can not hold back their sexual passions. It is interesting though in verse 5, "Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control." In other words, husbands and wives need to keep sex a priority so that there is diminished opportunity for lack of self-control!
Galatians 5:23 reminds us that self-control is a fruit of the spirit.
2 Timothy 3:3 reminds us that lack of self-control is an indicator of "last days."
1 Peter 1:13 says "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 4:7 says "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray."
1 Peter 5:8 says to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
2 Peter 1:5 is the "addition" verse - "add to your faith goodness; and to your goodness, knowledge; and to your knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." The notes in my Bible point out that adding self-control to knowledge was Peter's response to many false teachers of the day that said knowledge made self-control unnecessary. What a great point for a world that holds
education and learning so high. Knowing more does not mean we actually put our knowledge into action by refraining from the poisons that are bad for us!
Pastor Martin G. Collins says, "Self-control is the virtue that makes a person so master of himself that he is fit to be servant of others."
Pastor Charles Rush from Christ Church New Jersey preached a message quoting Aristotle... "the self-controlled man was neither cowardly, nor foolhardy but courageous. He was neither gluttonous, nor fasting, but healthy in diet. She is neither ignorant, nor a bookworm, but learned. He is neither a drunkard, nor abstemious, but social. This is what self-control looks like."
Aristotle said "the goal for the development of self-control was to feel the right amount of pleasure at the right things to the right degree."
I often wonder why God gave us so many "good things" here on earth. Food, entertainment, nature, sex, etc., all of these things are ours for the taking and enjoying. But without self-control, our senses can become senseless to the gift's original intent.
Self-control can be the kick in the rear, the pinch, the "heads up" that keeps our life on the right path. Will we ignore it or embrace it?
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