Self-control

In our day and age, we now more than ever have a great need for self-control. We need it so much especially in this present generation where wickedness is abounding at an exponential rate. The good news is that where wickedness (a by-product of sin) abounds, grace abounds all the more (cf. Romans 5:20).

Before you go on reading, could you have a think about what self-control means?

In its simplest form, it means controlling yourself. To understand it, we need to dissect what the key terms are. First term is Self and the second is Control. In the original text in Greek, the term used for self-control in Galatians 5:23 is “enkrateia“ from “egkrates“; meaning Self-mastery, self-restraint, self-control, continence.

Now “Self ” here refers to the old and fallen adamic nature. In other words, the sinful nature. Note here that out of the sinful nature comes sin. One is a nature and one is an act. In the following passage, Paul talks much about the “self ” (also known as the flesh, referring to the sinful nature)

“1There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.^a 2For the law of the Spirit of life has set you^b free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,^c he condemned sin in the flesh, 4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:1-8 ESV

We can see the characteristics of self, also referred to as flesh in the passage above.

Next, “Control ” here means the power to influence or direct people’s behaviour or the course of events, according to the Oxford dictionary.

To put everything in perspective, self-control is the ability, made available by God the Father, supplied through the grace of the Lord Jesus by the agency of the Holy Spirit to everyone who has been born of God and saved by faith through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God – to bring into subjection of the authority of Jesus, the flesh and its desires while we remain in the body (our earthly and legal permit to remain on the earth for a time) here on earth.

Why the need for Self-Control?

We need self-control as Christians because while we are in the body and although saved, we are prone to the desires of the flesh which manifest through the body. The fleshly nature is fallen and loves to dominate. It therefore brings a tension in the life of the believer because they are now saved. We see this in Galatians 5:16,17. We also see that this is the case so we do not just live anyhow. To put it more bluntly, the body is a channel for desires to find expression. The old self which is being renewed (cf. Hebrews 10:10), resides in the area of the soul whose gateway is the mind, fed through the sensory organs of the body. The Holy Spirit who then becomes resident in the heart, the central part of the believer begins to channel His desires through the body. This is why you have the conflict. Two different persons trying to use the same passage way. And these two never agree. We saw this in Romans 8:1-8 earlier.

We need self-control because we are dead to sin and alive to God in Christ (cf. Romans 6:11) and now being transformed through the renewal of our mind (cf. Romans 12:1,2). Also, Proverbs 25:28 makes it clear that if you are without self-control, you are like a city without walls of protection. Self-control is that aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit that requires combining all other parts of the Fruit. You need to have self-control to shield yourself from vulnerabilities both spiritually and physically.

Self-control is required of the believer. This can never be achieved completely through human effort. According to the Word of God, we see that in God’s sovereignty, He allows us to partner with Him through the exercising of our will (cf. Isaiah 1:18, Philippians 2:12). It is the last part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It requires combining all the other parts to achieve it by the grace of God through the help of the Holy Spirit.

How can we practice self-control?

First, acknowledge you have no ability to walk in perpetual self-control as everything God does is not short-lived. Remember He has put eternity into our hearts. Eternity has been put in our hearts (cf. Ecclesiastes 3:11) and this has been done by placing the Holy Spirit, the 3rd part of the trinity, in our hearts.

Second, remember that once you are a believer, God works in you to will and do according to His good pleasure. (cf. Philippians 2:13)

Last but not least, having the above in mind, rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance to practice self-control. One way of doing this is not keeping bad company as that will corrupt good character (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:33),

Another way is not toying with the idea of sinful practices. The wise man says in Proverbs 6:27 ESV “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?”

Finally, another way of achieving this is being intentional to cultivate a habit of prayer and fellowship with the Holy Spirit and fellow believers, an integral part of working out your salvation with fear and trembling (cf. Philippians 2:12). Remember men always ought to pray and not give up (cf. Luke 18:1).

In 1 John 1:7, we see that fellowship with the Lord, which flows to other believers is proof that we are in Christ and have been born again. Aside this being proof, we are to be intentional about this walk with the Holy Spirit. It all begins with prayer. It is maintained by prayer and will end with prayer. In essence, this is a call to complete reliance of the Holy Spirit, so we don’t deprive Him of the opportunity to do His one job of helping us believers to become more like Christ.

It is never too late to start. Grace is available at every step of the journey. All you need to do is simply reach out through prayer to the Holy Spirit in faith, asking Him to help you. It is not late! Make a move through prayer now.

If you are unsure about where to start from, here’s a good place to start: “Dear Lord, I acknowledge you as my Lord and personal saviour. Help me by the agency of your Holy Spirit, I pray, to be self-controlled in my speech, my living, my relationships, my faith and my purity. Holy Spirit, please help me to bear fruit for without you I can do nothing. Have mercy on me Lord, purge me of any unconfessed sin and deliver me from ways that do not please you. Be glorified Lord, in my life in the name of Jesus. Thank you Lord for answered prayer, amen.