"The fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control" Galatians 5:22-23*
Its hard to believe we’re finishing up our series. This series on the Fruit of the Spirit has been tougher to put together than I thought it would. Its not because the virtues are hard to understand, but because they are hard to apply. To write this letter is to deal with these issues for myself, and in the process of preparation the Holy Spirit often prompts in ways which are, frankly, uncomfortable. Self-control is no exception.
Self-control is power over one’s self. It is self restraint. It is the ability to say "No" when it’s the right thing to do, even though its not what we want at the time (Titus 2:12).
There is an aspect of self-discipline which is also implied in the word. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul uses the example of athletic training to encourage us. He says, "Run in such a way as to seize the prize." And then he says, literally, "Every competitor exercises self-control over all things." To compete at a high level, athletes control everything - training routines, diet, rest.
While I have never been particularly athletic, at one time I decided to try mountain bike racing. I tracked my mileage and time, lost weight, and rode with better riders in a local club. But it didn’t stop there. On Saturday nights when we gathered with friends to watch Star Trek TNG, it meant exercising discipline at the potato chip bowl. I competed only once - it was expensive and race schedules were difficult to coordinate with mine. I finished middle of the pack, which was my goal. That’s my only real experience with higher level athletics, but it taught me a little about the self-discipline required.
While not especially athletic, I know academic competition. Without bragging, I can say I did well in school, earning many top prizes. There is no difference in the level of self-control involved. It takes self-restraint to go to the library when I want to do something else. It takes discipline to write an assignment when the sun beckons me outdoors.
I didn’t always study hard. One day when Jan and I were dating, I explained to her my "great" theory on school-work. I asked her, "Why try for an A, when it takes so much more effort and a B is still a good mark?"
I was walking her home at the time, and she stopped so she could look me in the eye. "Doesn’t God deserve your best?" Ouch. That hurt the ego. There was only one way to respond without being a jerk. From that point on my marks soared and I starting winning awards. God used that as a way to provide financially and to support our education.
It would be easy to keep telling stories about discipline and self-sacrifice in athletics and academics, but those aren’t the worlds I live in anymore, and rarely in life can we live with such intensity and focus. Life is about so much more than these things and self-control is a virtue which God calls us to apply in all aspects of our lives.
Often when we think of self-control, we think of pushing away from the table, but to conquer this area of our character, we have to take it deeper, into every area of our being. My friend Donna uses this acronym in her teaching - SPIRE. Spiritually, physically, intellectually, relationally, and emotionally. Using this as an inventory of my own life, there is not one area where I do not feel I am lacking in the department of self-control. Some are better than others. But all need work. I suspect this is common.
What does self-control look like on a daily basis?
Self-control prevents us from saying things we shouldn’t say (lies, gossip, secrets), or saying hurtful things we don’t really mean, but say anyway because we are tired, frustrated, or hurt
Self-control turns away from places where we know we will face temptation
Self-control clicks away from web sites we should not attend
Self-control considers the interests of others before our own
Self-control recognizes and controls thoughts that lead us away from God or our spouses
Self-control opens our Bible and prayer notebook even when there is pressure to do other things
Self-control pushes us off the couch when we should walk, read, or call someone
Interestingly, self-control tugs us to bed when we should rest
Self-control reminds us to do the things we said we would
Self-control calls us to do our best, even when less is required
Self-control does what is right even when no one will know the difference
Hope this helps. Be On Fire.
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*Unless translated directly, all scripture references from the New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978 by the International Bible Society.