Self-Control

Ok so my writings this week on Self Control will be more reflective in nature than research-style, perhaps because I have not been diligent enough to seek out scriptural references to the subject or simply because I think that reflection is more appropriate considering the nature of the subject.

The first thought of the Bible's position on our subject was the obvious starting place of Galatians 5:23 where it is described as a fruit of the Spirit. What I find interesting about it is the company it has with the other fruit of the spirit. It just seems that attributes like love, joy peace, patience, gentleness, kindness are sort of things that describe actions that characterize a life. Self-control is more of a lack of action in certain circumstances. If that is only what it is then I don't know that I have that big of a problem with it. OF course there is always improvement to be made on the issue keeping my mouth shut at times but I don't think that I have an overwhelming problem with needing to hold myself back from sin.

On the other hand taking the idea of self-control in a deeper- more philosophical way the concept entails having control of one's whole being- what one does and doesn't do. It seems evident that getting oneself off the couch and out into the world to help another person requires being in
control of ones' self. This I think is a big part of Christian maturity to become the type of person who is controlled by the Spirit and not the sinful natures (as Galatians 5 talks about) and so acts as well as refrains from actions in ways that would be the most glorifying to God.

So how do we get there, being able to control one's self according to the Spirit. First of all I think that to the extent that a person is surrendered to God is to the same extent that they will be controlled by God's spirit (and so self-controlled) and know the right things to do. Our part of becoming people controlled by God's spirit is explained in 1 Timothy 4:7 which says that we are to train ourselves to be godly. When we habitually practice controlling ourselves to act like Christ and refrain from actions
that would not reflect his nature we will become the type of people who want to do the right thing and who automatically conduct ourselves according to God's will.

So my practical point of self-control will be to get out of bed at seven thirty each morning (provided that I get to bed on time). I need to become the type of person who is not ruled by my desire to sleep but has put aside enough time to honor God in the morning and not be rushed getting ready for the day. Does this sound reasonable, or is there something better that you see in my life that needs to be ruled by self control?

Since my self control thoughts are that thoughts not researched I thought I'd add a little one on the nature of Self-control in relation to other religions because it seems like most other religions - Buddhism in particular and even Islam) do not have the idea that humans have a sin nature. In Christianity though we have a reason to be self controlled (because there is something sinful that we are controlling) and we also have the resources to control ourselves( presupposing both the doctrine of free will and God's assistance). Anyway I think that in a very indirect way the fact that we need and are able to have self control is evidence of the fact that the Christian view of life is most congruent to human experience.