November 17, 2002
The Christian philosophy is a philosophy of self-denial, self-control,
and self-restraint. The satanic
philosophy is a philosophy of “live as you please,” “have what you want,” “don’t
let anyone tell you what to do,” and “it’s your life, you have a right to live
it.” - - - Bob Jones
The Word of God has much to say on self-control. The news media is a daily commentary of a population made up of those who lack this discipline. Every rape, every robbery, every murder is a demonstration of people without self-control. Even closer to home is an attitude of complaint, anger, that unkind word, maxed out credit cards, and so on and so on and so on.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no
control over his spirit. Proverbs
25:28.
In Solomon’s day, anyone could enter into a city without walled protection even as anything can take control of a person who does not have the protection of self-control. On the other hand, the one who is able to rule his spirit is better than the one who captures a city. Self-control is evident in this passage.
But I buffet my body and make it my slave,
lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. I Cor. 9:27
The Apostle Paul found self-control to be a continual task. Self-control does not come easily. We have to work at it. (See Hebrews 12:11)
And in your knowledge, self-control, and in
your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness. I Peter 1:6
The Apostle Peter lists the virtues of the growing process of a believer. Self-control is in that process.
But hospitable, loving what is good,
sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.
Titus 1:8
Here we see self-control is a mark of a leader. A person who is called to lead God’s people must, of necessity, exercise self-control.
And now the million-dollar question – how do we develop self-control? Ephesians 5:18 tells us to be filled with the Spirit. If we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, He is going to produce fruit in our lives and one of the elements of that fruit is self-control (see Galatians 5:23). This takes discipline – yielding our lives to the Holy Spirit, submitting to the Word of God, making the reading and studying of God’s Word AND DOING IT a vital part of our daily lives. What a challenge, beloved! God bless.
In Christ’s love,