Controlling Self

Self-control: the telltale sign of a devout and maturing Christian.  The term defines a lifestyle, an attitude towards discipline; however, in regards to Christians, self-control could be misleading.  A more correct understanding of what it is to be self-controlled is Spirit-filled and obedient.  In truth, we are called to lead self-controlled, disciplined lives, but our ability to control ourselves does not come from ourselves but is intimately dependent on God.

Controlling self could be synonymous with denying self continually.  When we are asked to control ourselves, it is a request to deny our fleshly selves.  Self-control is not about monitoring our fleshly selves, but replacing them with our spiritual selves by the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we replace our fleshly selves with our spiritual selves we will live self-controlled lives.

Paramount to understanding self-control is temptation.  We would have no need for self-control if not for the power of temptation.  Temptation tugs, it pulls, it compels us to do and think things that are ungodly.  Self-control is about combating temptation.  In this regard, it is essential to remember that self-control, the denial of self to the exaltation of God, helps us to handle temptation.  Moreover, God is faithful to not let us be tempted beyond our ability to deny our selves (1 Cor. 10:13).

Additionally, the grace of God helps us to say "no" to temptation (Tit. 2:11-12).  In many ways, self-control could be described as a tactic, a strategy for dealing with temptation (1 Thes. 5:8).  The enemy of our souls, Satan, prowls around hoping to snare, trap, and devour (1 Pet. 5:8).  Being self-controlled is an attitude, a lifestyle, a tactic of spiritual warfare that helps us to overcome the temptations and snares of Satan and this world.

Self-control is also a practice that requires discipline to grow.  Luckily, we have an advocate, Christ, who is able to help believers to be self-controlled and to overcome temptation (Heb. 2:18).  Furthermore, we have to set our minds, prepare them for action, in order to handle temptation, to become men and women who are self-controlled (1 Pet. 1:13).  Praise be to God that He would be faithful to us in temptations and that He would desire for His Spirit to dwell in us!