SELF-CONTROL

Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath – James 1:19

“…and the knowledge, SELF-CONTROL…” (2Pet.1:6a). Having dressed your faith in the garment of virtue, and made it presentable with the cleansing power of the knowledge of God’s words, you now require something to  moderate knowledge. Mere acquisition of Knowledge tends to make one proud. There is also the tendency to desire knowledge for its sake, which could lead to deception (Eccl.12:12). Your journey to Perfection must not end at the junction of Knowledge, but proceed to Self-control. Remember, “Knowledge puffs up” (1Cor.8:1). Self-control is the cure and solution!

Self-control does not mean control by self, but control of self. Man is a spirit, with a soul, living in a body (1The.5:23). The soul is the seat of self; the personality – your intellect, emotions, and will. The soul is however limited in many ways. God cannot depend on the soul because it is still undergoing a process of maturation. The soul must not control the entire human being; and certainly not the spirit. Rather, the soul itself needs to be brought under the control of God’s Spirit who dwells in the spirit of the believer in Jesus Christ: “Whoever has no rule over his spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Pro.25:28). Self-control is therefore the control, taming, and tempering of all aspects of the personality: appetites, desires, emotions, imaginations, longings, passions, reactions, and responses. These can only be controlled by God’s indwelling Spirit, part of whose Fruit is Self-control (Gal.5:23). Self-control girds reason and bridles passion.

Self-control relates to diverse aspects of life, among which are the following:

Self-control in things of oneself: desires (1Tim.6:6-9); money and materialism (1Tim.6:9-10); food (Rom.14:20-21); recreation, hobbies and sports (1Tim.4:8; 2Tim.3:4). Without self-control, good and legitimate things – spiritual or otherwise – can be abused: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1Cor.6:12; 10:23). “Lawful” things become sin when carried beyond certain limits. Bodily appetites are beneficent when controlled, but malevolent when in command. Without self-control, hunger becomes gluttony; thirst becomes drunkenness; and need becomes greed. Lack of self-control is an invitation to anxiety, worry or even suicide.

Self-control in things of oneself which affect others: adornments, beauty, dressing, and fashion are best handled moderately. Without self-control, confidence can generate pride, and lead to a fall (Pro.16:18). Happiness can become wantonness: “Be sober, be vigilant…” (1Pet.5:8). Conviction can become arrogance, bigotry or stubbornness, leading to arguments, division, and strife (1Tim.6:4). Self-control ensures that we “walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy” (Rom.13:13).

Self-control in Communication: Legitimate speaking can turn into talkativeness, backbiting, jesting, revelling, and tale-bearing; forgetting that, “for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement” (Mt.12:36). You are to “let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt…” (Col.4:6a); and “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph.4:29). The natural inclination is to come to quick judgements and react angrily, rather than listening before speaking. But James 1:19b says, “…be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Self-control in Emotions and Relationships: Emotions can go into excess, and result in anger, bitterness, tempers or wrath: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Eph.4:31). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Pro.16:32). Friendship can become into infatuation and lust when the purposes of relationships are not defined or boundaries set (1Cor.15:33). Care or concern for others can become faithlessness, anxiety, fear or worry (Mt.6:25-31; 1Pet.5:7).

You do not have to be a slave to what you ought to have control over. You can bring sin and self under control. You can manifest Self-control, a key part of the Fruit of the Spirit. By His Indwelling Power, you can demonstrate Mastery over Self!