Self-Control – Part One

        “The fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control” Galatians 5: 23.

        Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. 

        Parents often say to a misbehaving child, “Control yourself” while they fail to exercise self-control themselves.

        Self-control is negative and positive. It not only involves stopping a negative, but also starting a positive activity.

        Dieting is “Exhibit A.” Living in the well-fed part of the world which boasts some of the world’s best home cooks self-control is essential for good health. It requires not only stopping over indulging, but starting good dietary habits. It is often as difficult to do one as the other.

        The controlling factor is “self.” External factors are influential, but only the self can control one’s actions. Research shows that self-control is like a muscle: it can be strengthened over time with practice. Strategies such as setting clear goals, avoiding temptations, and using positive self-talk can help improve it.

        Often the impression is given that some people find it easy and others difficult to exercise it. False, everybody is challenged to employ it.

        Perhaps the term self-control is misleading and that causes difficulty. True biblical self-control is not merely self-employed will, it is the employment of spirit-control known as the “fruit of the spirit.” It is the engagement of the Holy Spirit along with self-will. The Spirit is the supercharger that empowers the self to act.

        Now back to the parent/child analogy. When the parent says “Control yourself” they are making it known their will is different than that of the child. At that moment the child makes a decision as to which will is to be obeyed. The likelihood of it being the parent’s will is largely dependent on the parent/child relationship. The child who loves the parent and knows of the parents love is much more likely to do the parent’s will and exercise self-control.

        Likewise, the person who knows the Father’s will and His love is all the more likely to exercise self-control and allow the fruit of the Spirit to control. They prefer to please the Lord rather than themselves.

        Now consider a bad habit about which you know the will of the Father. Do you love the Lord enough to want to please Him? If so, commit the matter to Him in love and ask for His empowering grace.

        Conversely, if there is a practice you want to start, commit it to the Father. Acknowledge your desire to please Him is stronger than your selfish self-will.

        We are to be “as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:14 – 16).