SELF CONTROL

Self control comes from the Greek word “egkrateia” which means literally a holding of oneself in or the ability to take a grip of oneself. This meaning reminds us of one our modern slang expressions, “Get a grip!” It refers to the restraining of passions and appetites that originate from the old self.

To be self-controlled is to not live in bondage to the desires, passions and appetites of the flesh. The physical human body is a good servant but miserable master.

In short, “egkrateia” describes the personal rule or master over fleshy impulses that would be impossible without the Holy Spirit’s control>

In the ancient world, self-control characterized athletes who sought to be self restrained and self disciplined, qualities which were crucial in their quest for victory in the intense competition of the elite Olympic Games.

Self-control means mastering one’s emotions rather than being mastered by them. Lack of self-control plays a significant role in abominable deeds of the false teachers Peter exposed in Chapter 2 of his Second Epistle.

“Egkratei” points to a supernatural inner power to control one’s old desires and cravings inherited from Adam. Sometimes we as saints forget that even though we have been crucified with Christ and are dead to the domination and or power of sin, the old desires are still latent and are able to be activated in our mortal bodies

The Greek word “egkrateia” has the idea of to get a grip on one’s self, on one’s passions. Many of the early Christian heresies taught that since the physical body was evil, which it is not, it is morally neutral and is solely an instrument either of the Spirit of or sin, it was not necessary to curb evil lusts, but that one only had to think correctly. In contrast, Paul teaches that self control is not a result of self-effort but a fruit wrought by the Spirit as we rest in Him, trust in Him, and walk by Him. Then God receives the praise and the glory for the victory instead of self, which ever seeks to usurp God’s rightful place and receive the glory due only to Him!

C Norman Bartlett writes that by temperance is meant self-control in the broadest sense of the term. We need to go into training for Christ and to keep ourselves spiritually fit at all time, for we never know when a critical test may come or a golden opportunity arise that will call upon our spiritual reserves. To this end we should be prepared to give up whatever mars our witness and hinders usefulness in the Master’s service. Attaining to the best may necessitate abstaining from the rest. The letter must sometimes be sacrificed to the higher good.

Brian Bill writes that nestled among the Spirit’s produce is the seemingly out of place fruit of self-control. This characteristic of a Christ follower seems to focus more on me instead of my relationships with other people. I can exercise self-control when I’m the only person in the house. In fact, sometimes the hidden, private moments when no else is looking is precisely when I need self-control the most. However, if we properly exercise the fruit of self-control, it will benefit those around us. In some ways, we might consider this virtue the most important because without self control the works of the flesh cannot be overcome and the other elements of the Fruit of the Spirit will not be evident.

When the Greeks wanted to illustrate self-control, they built a statue of a man or a woman in perfect proportion. To them, self-control was the proper ordering and balancing of the individual.

Pastor Bill adds that Felix was no different than many others in the Roman Empire. Scholars tell us that when ancient Rome was disciplined and controlled, it was a great nation, but when it became saturated in its own sin it lost its glory. Drunkenness, orgies, and an “anything goes” mindset cause Rome to cave inward and implode upon itself. The decline of the Roman Empire went hand in hand with self-indulgence. I wonder if America is going down the same road?

Vincent adds this historical not on self-control in ancient athletes. The candidate for the races was required to be ten months in training, and to practice in the gymnasium immediately before the games, under the direction of judges who had themselves been instructed for ten month in the details of the games. The training was largely dietary. Epictetus says: “Thou must be orderly, living on spare food, abstain from confections; make a point of exercising at the appointed time, in heat and in cold; nor drink cold water or wine at hazard.” Horace says “ The youth who would win in the race had borne and done much; he hath sweat and been cold; he had abstained from love and wine.”

Adam Clark writes that “egkrateia means continence (Webster = exercising self restraint, especially a refraining from sexual intercourse), self government, or moderation, principally with regard to sensual or animal appetites. Moderation in eating, drinking, sleeping etc.

William Barclay says “egkrateia” is that great quality which comes to a man when Christ in his heart, that quality which makes him able to live and to walk in the world, and yet to keep his garments unspotted from the world.

Pastor Steve Cole observes that there is a paradox here: to be Spirit controlled results in being self-controlled. As we walk by the Spirit, He produces in us the ability to control every area of our lives in line with His holy purposes. This implies active responsibility on your part. Sometimes speakers on the spiritual life state that you are to be completely passive, “Just let go and let God,” “If you are striving, you are not trusting.”

This is clearly unbiblical. Paul wrote: “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (Colossians 1:29)

Bot are true. The self controlled person is submitting himself to God’s will as revealed in His Word, whereas the self willed person is acting for this own selfish desires, disregarding what God wills. Because God has given us new life in Christ and has given His Holy Spirit to indwell us, we have both the responsibility and the ability to yield our self will to His revealed will.

Pastor Cole goes on to describe how we cultivate the grace of self-control summing it up noting that “Walk by means of the Holy Spirit every day.” This undergirds the whole process.

Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

He goes on to talk about the strong desires of the flesh that war against the Spirit. If you do not conquer these desires, you will not grow in godliness. You don’t win wars accidentally! You must devote yourself to battle, committed to fit with everything you’ve got. Anything less will result in defeat. To walk by the Spirit means to depend upon and yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit moment by moment every day. Walking is not as spectacular as leaping or flying, but if you keep at it, you will get where you are going.

Also, the picture of fruit implies a slow, deliberate process. There will be setbacks and difficulties along the way. The question is are you actively, purposely walking by the Spirit, coming back to dependence on Him when you have fallen, so that over the long haul, the fruit of the Spirit, including self control, is growing in your life?

Wayne Barber discusses Peter’s mention of self control in 2 Peter 1:6, reminding us that this self control arises from and is accompanied by our knowledge which comes out of obedience to the Word of God. It comes right out of that faith that God gives us.

The definition of self-control means to be able to hold one self in. Paul is talking about an athlete and how he has to have self-control. This would include self-control over his appetite, his temper, his schedule, an athlete needs priorities or he will become undisciplined. It you want to play on the basketball team in college, you had to have discipline or self-control.

Remember that the definite article (“the”) is before each godly characteristic so Peter is talking about “the”self control, “the” very self control and self restraint that Jesus had, even as He Himself was tempted as all men are. And yet God gives us access to that same self-control! So that’s where the analogy breaks down, it’s not human energized self-control Peter is talking about but that which is available by faith (obedience) from Christ in us. The Christian ought to have control over his appetite.

How many diets have you been on? You lose some but then you gain it right back. Remember that Scripture repeatedly links idolatry and immorality. Immorality and a person with an uncontrolled appetite is closely related all the way through Scripture. Believers because of Christ within them, possess the potential to control their temper, to exercise control over their desires, the power to say “no”, the power to set godly priorities, the power within them so that they can turn off the television and go to be early so they can arise early to be fresh with God in the morning, the self control to get out of bed in the morning to be alone with God. And all of this self-control comes out of faith. We don’t have to go to a course or read a book on how to become self controlled! That control is within us and if we are diligent to see results, then we will see God work it out in our life and move us into His victory.

Dangerous Freedom

Freedom is dangerous in the hands of those who don’t know how to use it. That’s why criminals are confined in prisons with barbed wire, steel bars, and concrete barriers. Or consider a campfire that is allowed to spread in dry forest. It quickly becomes a blazing inferno. Uncheck freedom can create chaos.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Christian life. Believers are free from the law’s curse, its penalty, and its guilt producing power. Fear, anxiety, and guilt are replaced by peace, and liberty. Who would be more free than one who is free in the depths of his soul? But here is where we often fail. We use freedom’s luxury to live selfishly, or we claim ownership of what God has merely entrusted to us. We slip into patterns of self indulgent living, especially in affluent societies.

The proper use of freedom is “faith working through love” to serve one another (Galatians 5: 6, 13). When we rely on the Spirit and expend our energies on loving God and helping others, the destructive works of the flesh will be restrained by God. (Gal 6:16-21). So let’s always use our liberty to build up, not tear down.

Like a raging fire, freedom without limits is dangerous. But when controlled, it is a blessing to all.

Christ came to give us liberty

By dying in our place;

Now with new freedom we are bound

To share His love and grace. D. De Haan

FREEDOM DOESN’T GIVE US THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE PLEASE, BUT TO DO WHAT PLEASES GOD!

Cupcake Self Discipline

An old adage says: “Next time you want a cupcake, eat a carrot.” The saying is good advice for dieters, but those who framed it may have had all of us in mind. By disciplining our desires when no moral principle is a stake, we prepare ourselves for those moments when we face a temptation to sin.

This kind of discipline is what Paul referred to when he used the term self control in his list of qualifications for church leadership (Titus 1:8). We need this reminder today. Many people think they can live immorally now and suddenly stop when they want to. Because they do not consider the addictive power of sin, they find that living up to their good intentions is far more difficult than they had anticipated.

Proverbs 25:28 tells us that if we lack self control we are a defenseless as a city with broken down walls. Consistent self-discipline will build up our spiritual defense system against the forces of evil.

When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Paul’s words in Romans 6:18, “ Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

TO GAIN SELF-CONTROL, GIVE CHRIST CONTROL!