self-control

412 self-controlJust say no? I have a friend. His name is Jimmy. Everybody likes him. He is very diligent, generous and has a good sense of humor. But Jimmy also has a problem. Recently he was traveling on a highway when a vehicle swept in front of him. Jimmy kicked the accelerator and chased the overbearing driver. When the culprit stopped at a red light, Jimmy had to fully brake. He got out of the car and stormed to the vehicle in front of him, slammed the side window, stuck his bleeding arm through the broken window, and punched the shocked driver with his fist. But the revenge was short-lived. Suddenly Jimmy grabbed his chest and fell to the ground. Within an hour he had to undergo a five-fold bypass surgery on the heart. Jimmy lacks self-control. Most of us are concerned as well. It does not have to be hot temper, but it is often just as destructive - fear, bitterness, gluttony, jealousy, arrogance, craving, drug abuse, self-pity, and greed.

In Proverbs 25,28 likening self-control to the walls of a city, the verse warns us of the danger of being controlled by desire and desire: "A man who cannot contain his anger is like an open city without walls." In ancient times, cities were surrounded by walls to protect citizens from enemy invasion, dangerous animals, and other unwanted invaders. Once these mighty fortifications were breached, people were vulnerable - as are we when we are not in control of our emotions and desires. When we allow our selfish impulses to rule us, we open the door to lies, insults, hatred, sickness, shame, and can do serious harm in the lives of others (Proverbs 21,23). What is the answer to be able to fight against our destructive desires?

self discipline? willpower? try harder? Just say "no"?

The New Testament gives us an important clue on how to win the battle for self-control. Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5,22-23). It is not our hard work, our self-discipline, or our determination, for self-control is brought about by the Holy Spirit in us. He is the source. The word 'self-control' means 'to be in control' or 'to take hold of something'. The Holy Spirit gives us the inner ability to control ourselves and to live in such a way that we are not dominated by our selfish emotions and desires (2. Timothy 1,7). We don't even manage to say "no" on our own. Titus wrote that the grace of God shows us how to reject worldly desires and live soberly and righteously in this world (Titus 2,11-12). But the Holy Ghost doesn't just help us resist a bad habit. The Holy Spirit works in us to change ourselves and replaces selfish impulses with the inspiring, powerful life of Jesus Christ. We exercise self-control when we decide - step by step - (the Holy Spirit does not take our free will) to accept it as the source of our life and not to live according to our preferences. When we do this, our behavior will become Christ-like. An electric light bulb indicates that there is electricity - we indicate that Jesus Christ rules our lives.

How can we live a self-controlled life? Jesus shows us that there was always a plan for how man should be. He was not guided by his needs as he relied completely on the Father. Through the most severe spiritual battle when Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, we get a glimpse of how self-control works. After fasting for 40 days, Jesus was tired, alone, and hungry. Satan, sensing Jesus' greatest need, seized this opportunity to tempt him with what he needed most—food. But Jesus replied, “It is written, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4,4). In Jesus' words we find a key to training our spirit through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The internal supply

In Psalm 119,11 the psalmist elaborates: “I keep your word in my heart, lest I sin against you.” God's word must be in our hearts. It is not enough to save it in a notebook or in a computer program. It must be within us. The word "keep" was used when treasures or supplies were hidden or kept separate in order to be prepared for future emergencies. We store God's written Word by engaging in what may sound odd to modern ears—biblical meditation. Meditation is contemplating, pondering, listening, assimilating, and mentally replaying passages of Scripture much like a dog gnaws a bone. Meditation enables us to keep God's Word where it has the greatest impact on our lives—in our hearts (Proverbs 4,23). Disregarding the Bible allows old patterns of wrong thinking and destructive uncontrolled habits to regain authority over them. When we fill and nourish our minds with Scripture and let it take root in our hearts, God's Word becomes a part of us and it shows naturally in our utterances and actions.

In Ephesians 6,17 Paul compares God's word with a sword: "Take the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God". Paul was probably thinking of the soldiers' short sword, which they always carried on their men, ready to use at any time. The Holy Spirit helps us to remember scriptures vividly (John 14,26) by reaching into the supply of verses that we keep in our hearts through meditation and he helps us in emergencies by flashing a word in our mind or reminding us in a supernatural way of a verse or a promise.

God has created us with a variety of temperaments, emotions and desires. These must all be brought under control or they will eventually dominate us. Self-restraint is compared to a conductor of a symphony orchestra. Under the baton of a conductor, a large number of talented musicians can play the right notes at the right time with the right volume on their instruments so that everything sounds just right. Likewise, our desires and our desires are justified. Self-control is the staff of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, under whose capable direction everything stays in the right place and is invoked at the right time. To be self-controlled is to be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Father, I long to have a self-controlled life, but I can't do it without you. I thank you that you have already given me everything I need to lead a life that is pleasing to you (2. Petrus 1,3). Please fill me with inner strength through your spirit (Ephesians 3,16), so that I can use the skill you have bestowed responsibly! Guard my mouth and strengthen me so that I do not succumb to the desires of the body3,14). Empower me to act prudently and to be who I really am - your child (1. John 3,1). I am in your hand Live in and through me now. In Jesus name, amen.

by Gordon Green

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Self-discipline and self-control

These two terms should not be confused with each other. Self-restraint arises from the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, whereas self-discipline is usually imposed by external factors - a diet or exercise. Normally, we subject ourselves to a rule or rule whose temporary compliance we deem necessary.