Self-Control Is In Us
The Greeks had a word, enkrateia, which is: “A serious lack of self-control.”
Self-Control. What is it actually? It has various meanings, “mastery of something, the controlling of the will, the inner strength, power to resist, to be able to NOT indulge.” It involves the ability to say “no” to our desires and lusts. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galations 5:22-23
Why are most people now so out of shape? Is it overindulgence, lack of exercise or lack of hard work? “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” James 5: 5 Could it be as simple as lack of self-control? Self-control is in us, think of what you could accomplish if you used it.
Think of the lack of self-control we display with the internet, television and other activities. If the power goes out or internet quits working, near panic sets in for some. When people will NOT turn off these time-wasters to give their minds and eyes a much-needed rest then we are in serious trouble. We are fed bad news, violence, questionable sitcoms, innuendo, biased opinions and all other sorts of vile things. We welcome it into our homes through our devices.
Why are most people now so out of shape? Is it overindulgence, lack of exercise or lack of hard work? “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.” James 5: 5 Could it be as simple as lack of self-control? Self-control is in us, think of what you could accomplish if you used it.
Think of the lack of self-control we display with the internet, television and other activities. If the power goes out or internet quits working, near panic sets in for some. When people will NOT turn off these time-wasters to give their minds and eyes a much-needed rest then we are in serious trouble. We are fed bad news, violence, questionable sitcoms, innuendo, biased opinions and all other sorts of vile things. We welcome it into our homes through our devices.
Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Do the hours of news reporting, repeating the same “breaking news” over and over, do any good for you? No, it brings fears and worries. A lack of mental self-control lets us sit for hours binge-watching programs or glued to news so you won’t miss any tidbit of new information. Do you have the tv guide memorized more than you have scripture memorized? Self-control is in us, use it.
Children are now “addicted” to apps and other types of diversions from the time they can hold a cellphone. Their parents put these in their little hands to occupy them. Companies make devices childproof now. Such great apps, colors, sounds, music, and animated creatures, to keep them amused. We start them young. From children to adults, we entertain and amuse, instead of reading, enjoying silence or time with family. God speaks in a still, small voice, but are we drowning it out with so much “entertainment?” God can get our attention in other ways if we won’t listen.
Self-control in our thoughts and emotions is by the power of God as believers yield to the Lord in obedience. With God’s help, we can live above sinful practices, as well as be counsel to other Christians, which allows the fruit of self-control to grow. It is important to the body of Christ to help others.
- “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16)
- “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Philippians 2:3)
- “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently” (Galatians 6:1)
- “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10)
So work on your self-control, asking for God to help you use it because self-control is in us, practice using it. Pray for the strength needed to defeat all the distractions thrown at us. Remember it is the devil who seeks to destroy our relationships with God and others. He does that by distractions that leave us separated in our own solo worlds with little interaction from others.