Self-Control: Do You Have It? Part One

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5: 22, 23

Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. Doing so is a challenge at best.

“There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self,” so said Benjamin Franklin. The virtue of self-control begins with knowing ourselves. It is a challenge and can be frightening, so frightening that one has said, “If I really got to know myself I likely would be frightened and run away.”

A starting point for self-control is getting to know ourselves. There is an ancient Greek aphorism “know thyself” inscribed in the forecourt of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, Greece indicating its importance.       

Great voices such as Socrates have spoken of the need of self-control: “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”

Think about yourself for a moment. Satan knows you. He is no less a strategist than a military general. Both always look for the weakest points on which to focus their attack. Are you aware of weak points in your spiritual, moral, and ethical life?” Identify them for yourself.

In Hebrew 12: 1 we are exhorted to “…lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us….” What snares do you need to lay aside?

At what point or points are you likely to be most vulnerable? Identify them.

Evaluate the following approach. Backtrack from a point at which you have shown weakness, that is, have demonstrated the lack of self control. As a starter consider a point of moral failure. Now think back to the starting point where you began your journey to that end. What was the first step to that end? Got it? Now  engage in an honest evaluation. What kind of things lead to you yielding to the sin which so easily ensnared you?

Post a keep off sign: “If you are not going in the house stay off the porch.”

Or, if you prefer, “If you are not going on the flight don’t get on the plane.”

Avoid things which you know will lead to a wrong attitude or conduct. Reflect now, various terms for self-control, include discipline, determination, grit, willpower, and fortitude. Self-control is the ability to control behaviors, to avoid temptations, and achieve goals, the ability to delay gratification and resist unwanted behaviors or urges.

Here is the secret. You can’t do it alone. The above text refers to self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit. His help is needed. Reliance on the spiritual enabling grace provided by the Spirit makes self-control possible. Acknowledge your need for His help. Share your need for His help when you are first inclined to get on the porch or the plane. Do so at the first impulse. Don’t plan to fail, but even if you do, resume your commitment with even greater discipline, determination, grit, willpower, and fortitude. 

Pause now and determine your lifelong strategy.

Right Is Right

Pluralism is popular. That is, the beliefs there are no absolutes, they are relative. Unfortunately that develops a culture where no one knows right from wrong. Sociologist Margaret Mead wrote: “What we need is the downfall of a single standard.”

William Law writing in the eighteenth century shared this parody of what life would be like physically if nobody knew the use of physical objects. He did so  to illustrate from a physical view what things would be like spiritually if no one knew right from wrong.

“Let us suppose a person destitute of that knowledge which we have from our senses, placed somewhere alone by himself, in the midst of a variety of things which he did not know how to use; that he has by him, bread, wine, water, gold dust, iron chains, gravel, garments, fire, etc. Let it be supposed he has no knowledge of the right use of these things nor any direction from his senses how to quench his thirst, or satisfy his   hunger, nor to make use of any of the things about him. Let it be supposed, that in his drought he puts gold dust into his eyes; when his eyes smart, he puts wine into his ears; that in his hunger, he puts gravel into his mouth, that in pain, he loads himself with the iron chains; that feeling cold, he puts his feet in the water; that being frightened at the fire, he runs away from it; that being weary, he makes a seat on his bread.

Let it be supposed, that through his ignorance of the right use of the things about him, he will vainly torment himself whilst he lives, and at last dies, blinded by dust, choked with gravel, and loaded with iron. Let it be supposed that some good being came to him, and showed him the nature and use of all the things, as would certainly, if observed, make him happier for all that he and deliver him from the pangs of hunger, thirst, and cold.  

Now could you with any reason affirm that those strict rules of using those things that were about him, had rendered that poor man’s life dull and uncomfortable.

We are mistaken to think release from moral restraints will make us happy. These guidelines rather protect us from ourselves and can lead to joyful living.”

As knowing how to use physical things makes for a better life, so knowing and applying spiritual values makes for a better life.

William Penn observed, “Right is right though all be against it, and wrong is wrong though all be for it.”

Gravity is a law not to restrict us, but to comfort us in knowing that we will come down if we jump up and not fall off the earth. Every moral restraint is for our good, intended to let us know the moral boundaries within which is our security and comfort.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” Proverbs 14:12

The God of Peace

A minister has an awareness that every member of his circle of constituents checks on him, some constructively, some critically. I had one most unusual one few knew of.

I had a caller who identified himself as Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr. His wife had been shot and killed while playing the organ during a worship service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He said, “Since Mama was killed there I can’t go back there any more. From now on you are going to be my preacher.” He became a close friend and an ardent follower. Most Mondays he would call and express appreciation for my message and give me an honest appraisal of it. Objective honesty involved occasional constructive and helpful criticism. Never really negative, just loving insight. 

I’ve never told that story and I doubt he ever mentioned it. It was a bond I will never forget. There were many things that could have caused an estrangement. We had many differences, but one thing forged a friendship. It was the mutual faith we had in Jesus Christ that enabled us to love each other.

Such a relationship between all races could change culture.

Two commonalities exist. 

First, we are ALL “created in the image of God.”

Second, we are ALL “of one blood.”

That one size fits all model gives enough of a basis for getting along.

It is ideologies that separate us. It is a sad reality that some are held so strongly and with wrath it is impossible to placate them. They refuse to agree or compromise; they are inflexible.

However, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18) That is, do “All your part is to be at peace.”

It is impossible to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures by some people. It is impossible to placate an outraged citizenry.

Still, do your part to mitigate, that is, to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate. Do all you can to make the relationship less severe. 

Don’t wait for the mail carrier to deliver you a lifetime exemption from problems certificate. In the vernacular, “It ain’t going to happen.” 

If on occasion you fail, and  you will, everyone does, get up, brush yourself off, and resolutely determine to enthusiastically and optimistically carry on.

Even when you have not mollified the situation there is victory to be enjoyed so, “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (II Corinthians 13:11)

Repeat, “the God of love and peace will be with you.”

A Worthy Vessel

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17)

We have a lovely Ming vase dated between 1368 – 1644 during the Ming Chinese dynasty. Many of the delicate flowing lines were painted by a single hair. Captivating outdoor scenes grace its graceful design.

It was designed to be utilitarian, but for what purpose is unknown. Perhaps oriental spices or lovely flowers once filled it. Though designed for use, it has not been used for over 60 years. Though beautiful on the outside, it is empty on the inside. It no longer fulfills the function for which it was made.

Many lives are illustrated by the lovely work of art. Spiritually they are still lovely on the outside giving the appearance of functionality, but empty on the inside. They are incomplete.

God inspired Scripture as a means by which we might be complete, functional. We cannot do this without being “thoroughly furnished.” We are complete when we hear the word, believe the word, and practice the word. Only then are we functioning as we were designed to do.

Beautiful Chinese vases from the Ming dynasty were not designed to sit on velvet. Today most such objects are basically ornamental though designed to be utilitarian: domestic vessels, domestic or ritualistic vessels. Most of the lovely pieces exhibited in museums were originally someone’s kitchenware. Once accomplishing the purpose for which they were made they are now only empty art objects to be admired.

Many not fulfilling their original purpose and feeling an emptiness try to fill the void by reading the latest self-help book, becoming invested in community projects, and engaging in human endeavors while neglecting the source of completion, the word and work of God.     

Like the Ming vase it has stood the test of time, but has outlived the purpose for which Jesus refined us. 

Consider: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (II Corinthians 4: 7)

When a person trusts in Jesus for salvation, He invests a treasure in that one. Thereafter it should be that person’s ambition “… that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us….”

That brings us full circle to being complete, functional. We cannot do this without being “thoroughly furnished.” We are complete when we hear the word, believe the word, and practice the word. Only then are we functioning as we were designed to do.

Live a lifestyle that pays dividends on the investment the Lord has made in you.

Your Own Storms

Rising majestically over the Planes of Galilee is the monolithic Mount Arbel, the scene of many historical events. It forms the western wall of the Valley of the Doves. Running through the valley is the trail from Nazareth to Capernaum which Jesus would have walked going between these two towns.

Having stood on the summit of Arbel, I have endeavored to recreate in my mind one event that transpired there. Sudden strong winds known as Euroclydon often funnel down the valley getting stronger as they go. Rushing out of the valley they are directed toward the Sea of Galilee. 

On an occasion Jesus and His apostles set out to cross the sea. Fatigued by a busy day of ministry Jesus was asleep when it happened: Euroclydon. Suddenly without warning large billows turn the sea into hazardous condition. It was a challenge to the most stalwart vessels on the sea. The apostles, like any seamen of the era, were frightened.

Look at Jesus, when most needed what is He doing …. sleeping.

With the urgency of the moment the apostles awakened Him pleading for help. Having emptied Himself of His divine power for personal use, but not for the welfare of others, Jesus calmed the sea, and with it the hearts of His beloved apostles.

Now, the application of the event. Have you ever been in your own tiny vessel when without warning your own threatening Euroclydon struck? The appearance was Jesus was asleep when you needed Him most.

A concluding line in the Lord’s model prayer is translated in most versions, “Lead us not into temptation….” The Greek word translated “temptation” can be more appropriately translated with today’s meaning as “Lead us not into trials….” 

That single line is compacted with meaning. One is He does on occasion deem it wise to lead us into trials which are tests to allow us to demonstrate our faith in Him. Struggles develop strength, trials develop trust and prove Jesus still has the capacity to calm our personal storms. 

This voyage was Jesus’ idea. It was He who said, “Let us go across to the other side.” This wasn’t an idol suggestion, it was a command with a purpose. He led them into the storm as a confidence building trial.

That is good to anchor in the harbor of your mind for storms are inevitably going to come. With that calm confidence established you can say, “I will fear no evil for when I am afraid I will trust in Him.

Pause and meditate on some occasions when He has calmed storms in your life. Times when the slumbering Jesus became your sufficient Savior. 

May the time never come when Jesus can say of us that which He said of His apostles, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”