Self-Control – Part Two

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

        Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. It involves resisting short-term temptations in order to achieve long-term goals. Self-control is crucial for personal discipline, decision-making, and maintaining healthy relationships and habits.

        From a biblical standpoint a Christian is to be a disciplined person. Numerous examples are used to illustrate this. The discipline of a soldier is one.

        “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (II Timothy 2: 3 – 5).

        Self-control is not a one time lifetime achievement. It has to be exercised as a lifestyle repeated over and over meeting each challenge as various conditions arise. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… (I Peter 1: 13). To gird up means to be resolutely determined.

        “Now no chastening (discipline) seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12: 11). Self-control often necessitates giving up some short term pleasures for long term benefits.

        Self-control involves aiding yourself by avoiding temptation. For example, if you are trying to exercise self-control regarding weight control avoid taking a bag of donuts home. Avoid the allure that tests your will. Figuratively, if you are not going fishing, stay out of the bait shop. 

        The Scripture uses the term “strive” related to withstanding temptation. The Greek word for “strive” is agonizesthe, in which you correctly hear the English word “agonize.” Don’t expect self-control to always be easy.

        Paul says that Christians exercise self-control like the Greek athletes, only our goal is eternal, not temporal. “Every athlete [agonizomenos] exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians 9:25). So he says, “I discipline my body and keep it under control” (1 Corinthians 9:27). Self-control is saying no to sinful desires, even when it hurts. Such is a classic example.

        Self-control being a fruit of the Spirit it is a partnership, the Spirit’s fruit and our will. Thus, Paul answers: “For this I toil, struggling [agonizomenos] with all His energy that He powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29). We “agonize” by the power of Christ, not our own will.

        Remember “it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Every good thing we do is the fruit of the Spirit’s work in our lives.