Today I want to share a word about self-control, as I comment on Galatians 5:19-25. This passage reads:
As I write this devotional, a video has gone viral on the internet of a National Football League coach’s response to his team’s loss. The coach was the team’s offensive coordinator, and one of their wide receivers had botched a last-minute chance to win the game by not stopping the clock by stepping out of bounds. The coach was so upset, frustrated, and angry that he pitched an epic fit, screaming and throwing objects around the coach’s booth. His behavior was so embarrassing that another coach in the booth reached over and covered the camera with his hand. Without a doubt that coach lost all control of his emotions and his actions.
Contrast this with the behavior of my father-in-law. He was a die-hard fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide. In his mind, their coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, could do no wrong. I remember my father-in-law intently watching Alabama play a bowl game one year which had great implications for the national championship of college football. Alabama did not play very well, and while they, too, had a last second chance for victory, they also came up short. This defeat cost them the chance at the national title that year. My father-in-law stared silently at the television as the last seconds of the game ticked away. Then he stood, put on his hat, and said, “Well, that’s that.” He then turned and went out to tend to some chores.
Now, admittedly, it was the NFL coach’s job to help his team win football games, and my father-in-law did not have such career issues to deal with. Still, he was passionate about University of Alabama football, and his passion ran deep. He just didn’t make a spectacle of himself by losing control.
Like the Bible and the Christian faith, people may see self-control as a list of things one shouldn’t do. I would assert that self-control actually has two major aspects. The first one is, indeed, the idea that one should avoid some actions and attitudes. The second, however, is the idea that self-control includes some behaviors and attitudes that people should actively seek out. Let’s unpack those in the order that I gave them, because we always want to end on a positive note!
THINGS TO AVOID:
Paul’s counsel to the Galatians clearly stated a number of actions and attitudes that we should avoid as believers. People are not mere animals, but when we give in to our baser instincts we can act like animals. When we do, the consequences can be severe.
When we lose control and act badly, people can get hurt, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. A prime example of that is Matthew 14:6-11:
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Herod lost control and gave into his lusts and desires and the result was that John the Baptist, who had done nothing except preach God’s Word, was executed.
Not only do other people get hurt when we don’t exercise self-control, but we also do ourselves. When we lose control we eat too much, we drink too much, we gamble too much, and we abuse our own bodies, souls and minds. To be clear, I do not endorse drinking alcohol and I do not endorse gambling, but even people who do should realize that a lack of self-control in these practices will lead to personal and interpersonal disaster.
Yes, self-control is a matter of resisting temptation, but it is more than that. Self-control is not only avoiding negative actions and attitudes, but it is also cultivating positive actions and attitudes.
THINGS TO PURSUE:
We can avoid the negative behaviors and attitudes that Paul listed in our passage for today, but still miss the mark for an abundant life. It is a fact that muscles which are not exercised will atrophy and weaken, and so will our lives if we don’t act in positive ways with a positive mindset. The Bible is full of positive commands which, if we follow them, will result in our blessing and the blessing of others. Some of them include:
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Matthew 7:7
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8
Self-control means doing the right things in the right ways, even when we don’t feel like it. Jesus is our model for this. He went to the Cross in obedience to His Father, even though in the garden the night before He prayed to be relieved of that task. Remember also that Jesus did this for us, even though we were sinners and estranged from God:
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
So, Jesus not only avoided sin to live a sinless life, He also took the necessary action to save all of us from our sins. I am so glad He did! Aren’t you?
CONCLUSION:
One of my besetting sins is that I can have a short temper from time-to-time. I jokingly blame it on my mother’s red hair, but I have long ago realized it is a tendency that I must control. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I have learned that I can have some success with controlling this character flaw. This is important because you never know who is watching.
Recently I had to go into a local bank to transact some financial business for my ministry. I stood for quite some time in the lobby while the teller was looking at her telephone. I was starting to feel frustrated and, yes, a little angry, when she looked up, saw me, and motioned me forwards.
Although I was frustrated at the delay, I was cordial to the young lady, which was fortunate, because as she was processing our deposit, she looked at me and said, “Is it true that your ministry provides counseling services? My husband and I need some help with our relationship.” At this, I was both pleased and embarrassed.
I was pleased that this young lady was reaching out for help. I did not know her, but she apparently recognized me, and I was glad to help her. I was also embarrassed because I had almost given into my frustration. She didn’t notice, which made me glad, but if I had given in to my baser instincts, I would have ruined everything. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit helped me keep my composure, and for that, I am most grateful!
Self-control, self-discipline, temperance, whatever we call it, it isn’t a one-time thing. It is a lifestyle. I am grateful to God for the Gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live a life that is both pleasing and honoring to God.
Every blessing,
Dr. Otis Corbitt
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