self-control
Just 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 Sprüche 25,28 Self-control is compared to the walls of a city, and the verse warns us of the danger of being ruled by desires and cravings: “A man who cannot control his anger is like an open city without walls.” In ancient times, cities were surrounded by walls to protect their citizens from enemy invasion, dangerous animals, and other unwanted intruders. If these mighty fortifications were breached, people were left defenseless—just as we are when we don't control our emotions and desires. When we allow our selfish impulses to rule us, we open the door to lies, insults, hatred, illness, and shame, and can cause serious harm in the lives of others. (Spr 21,23)What is the answer to being able to prevail in the fight against our destructive desires?
self discipline? willpower? try harder? Just say "no"?
The New Testament provides us with an important clue as to how we can win the battle for self-control. Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5,22-23)It is not our hard work, our self-discipline, or our determination, for self-control is brought forth within us by the Holy Spirit. He is the source. The word 'self-control' means 'to have in control' or 'to seize something'. The Holy Spirit gives us the inner ability to take control of ourselves and to live in such a way that we are not ruled by our selfish emotions and desires. (2. Tim 1,7)We can't even manage to say "no" on our own. Titus wrote that God's grace shows us how to reject worldly desires and to live prudently and righteously in this world. (Tit 2,11-12)But the Holy Spirit doesn't just help us resist bad habits. The Holy Spirit works within us so that we are transformed, replacing selfish impulses with the inspiring, powerful life of Jesus Christ. We practice self-control when we choose—step by step—(the Holy Spirit doesn't take away our free will) to accept Him as the source of our lives and not live according to our own desires. When we do this, our behavior will become Christ-like. An electric lightbulb indicates that electricity is present—we indicate that Jesus Christ is guiding our lives.
How can we lead a self-controlled life? Jesus shows us that there has always been a plan for how humanity should be. He wasn't driven by his own needs because he relied completely on the Father. Through the most difficult spiritual battle, when Satan tempted Jesus in the desert, we gain insight into how self-control works. After fasting for 40 days, Jesus was tired, alone, and hungry. Satan sensed Jesus' greatest need and seized the opportunity to tempt him with what he most desperately needed—food. But Jesus replied, "It is written: 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Mt 4,4)In Jesus' words we find a key to training our minds through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The internal supply
In Psalm 119,11 The psalmist elaborates on this: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” God’s word must be anchored in our hearts. It is not enough to store it in a laptop or a computer program. It must be within us. The word “hide” was used when treasures or provisions were hidden or kept separately to be prepared for future emergencies. We store God’s written word by practicing something that may sound strange to modern ears—biblical meditation. Meditation is pondering, reflecting, listening, internalizing, and repeatedly letting Bible passages run through our minds, much like a dog gnawing on a bone. Meditation empowers us to keep God’s word where it has the greatest impact on our lives—in our hearts. (Spr 4,23)Those who disregard the Bible allow old patterns of wrong thinking and destructive, uncontrolled habits to regain control. 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 this is naturally reflected in our words and actions.
In Epheser 6,17 Paul compares God's word to a sword: "Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Paul was probably thinking of the short sword soldiers carried at all times, ready to use it. The Holy Spirit helps us to vividly remember scriptures. (Joh 14,26), by reaching into the store of verses that we keep in our hearts through meditation, and he helps us in times of need by flashing a word into our thoughts or reminding us supernaturally 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 lead a self-controlled life, but without you I cannot do it. I thank you that you have already given me everything I need to live a life pleasing to you. (2. Petr 1,3)Please fill me with inner strength through your Spirit. (Eph 3,16), so that I may use the ability you have given me responsibly! Guard my mouth and strengthen me, so that I may not succumb to the desires of the flesh. (Röm 13,14)Empower me to act wisely and to be who I truly am – your child (1. Joh 3,1)I am in your hand. Live now in and through me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
by Gordon Green
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.
