Word of the Week - Self-Control

“For the Spirit God Gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and Self-control”  -2 Timothy 1:7

Self-Control defined by Merrian-Webster as:  restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires;  the ability to manage your actions and feelings.  Self-control is one factor that separates humans from animals, although there seems to be a growing idea in our culture today towards the idea that we should pursue whatever makes us feel good and the idea of self-control limits us from being happy.    

 In last week’s “WOW” (see below) I shared on our multi-dimensional complexity as human beings. That God created humanity in His image as Triune beings comprised of a Body, Soul, and Spirit.  From this reality/perspective it is very challenging to have Self-control over our soul and flesh if our Spirit is not connected to God.

 The challenge: “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do.  And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.  As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.  For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.  For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep doing.  Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:15-20.  As Paul shares in this scripture, there seems to be something at work within us that is contrary to the concept of Self-control.  Paul identifies this as our sinful nature.  There are lots of references to the idea of Self-control in God’s word.  In fact most of the old testament is basically the story of man’s inability to have enough Self-control to meet God’s standard of perfect holiness.  The idea of Self-control is very interesting because it implies that we as humans have the ability to control ourselves and our environment, which as Paul shares in the above scripture does not seem to be achievable, at least in our own strength.

 The consequences: “There is a way that seems right to a man that leads to death.” Proverbs 14:12  Don’t get me wrong, I believe whole heartedly that we are responsible for our actions and we will be held accountable for the consequences of poor decisions and sin; what we do and how we live during our short journey on early really matters for eternity.  The truth is that our sin nature combined with the fallen nature of this world draws us down a path of death.   “For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.” Romans 3:23 

 The Hope and Good News: “For God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son Jesus so that we may have eternal life” John 3;16 Even the strongest willed among us remain humanly imperfect and lack Self-control over the soul and flesh, which leads to sin and death.  This is the reason that God sent His son Jesus to establish a new covenant whereby we overcome sin and judgement through the power of the blood of the lamb that was slain to cover our sins and give us access to overcoming power through Christ. “The spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you”. Romans 8:11

We are made holy and righteous by what He did and not through our ability to achieve perfection.  Therefore, by surrendering our lives fully to Christ we receive His power to overcome the soul and flesh and gain Self-Control by His Spirit being alive within us.  Through our daily surrender of self and connection to the vine of Christ, we receive the gift of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and Self-control.  These are the fruits of God’s spirit that are only produced in us as a biproduct of our abiding connection with Christ John 15:5. We cannot sufficiently produce these things in our own strength no matter how hard we try but must depend on the Lord to give us what we need to overcome the enemy of our soul and our self.  This is the life that is truly life, in Christ alone.

Have a great week.

Blessings,
Duane