Self-Control
When the apostle Paul preached before Governor Felix at Caesarea Maritima, the sermon was abruptly stopped because fear gripped Felix (Acts 24:25). What was the subject matter of Paul’s sermon with such disturbing power? Righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come were the contents causing consternation for the Roman governor. A great number of people might wriggle in their seats regarding judgment to come. Righteousness might generate trepidation in a few. The curious element in this jitter jolting moment is self-control (Gk. egkrateia).
Self-control is most readily recognized by Bible readers, as the final fruit of the Spirit in Paul’s list written to the Galatians (Gal 5:23). Therefore, it may be overlooked as a subject for small group discussion or for the topic of an article. Our task here is to rectify any neglect given to the last on the list of good fruit.
Being a fruit of the Spirit, we learn that self-control is a product of the Holy Spirit working sanctification in a saint. In writing on the subject of Christian life, in his many epistles, Paul would often produce vice lists of bad behavior practiced by unbelievers. Self-control sits at the end of the virtue list in Galatians 5:22–23, in contrast to the vice list in Galatians 5:19–21. In an even larger list of bad behavior, Paul wrote to Timothy about the sinful practices of the unregenerate (2 Timothy 3:1–5), and therein is found the phrase, “without self-control (2 Tim 3:3).”
So, if people without self-control are without the Holy Spirit, then what does self-control with the Holy Spirit look like in the saint? Besides Luke’s account of Paul preaching self-control to Felix, only Peter employs the term, and only once in his own virtues list (2 Pet 1:6). Peter suggests a connection between knowledge and self-control, and then a connection between self-control and perseverance.
Knowledge should lead us to self-control, and then self-control should be maintained throughout the course of a Christian’s life. If we derive this principle from Peter’s inspired logic, then we can turn to Paul for one illustration and one application of self-control.
First, Paul illustrated the self-control of those running the race to win souls (1 Cor 9:18–27), “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Cor 9:24–25).” He who wins souls is wise (Prv 11:30). Paul was one to win souls, wisely. He became all things to all men so that some might be saved.
The discipline of an athlete is mostly the responsibility of the athlete herself. She must control her body and those things which enhance or inhibit her performance (ie. sleep; nutrition; clothing; injury; etc.). Attention to detail is employed for peak performance. Each detail is turned into a discipline itself. Accountability, maintained by a fellow athlete or a coach, may also be necessary where self-control is deficient because of the weakness of the flesh.
Jesus taught His disciples to deny themselves; therefore, we understand the Christian life to be one of rigor. Like an athlete preparing for the fight, the Christian is denying himself the pleasures of Egypt, even for a season. He denies himself in the realm of worldly interests, especially where sin is involved.
Taking up one’s cross and following Jesus is about the mortification of sin in one’s soul and body. The rigor of self-denial was emphasized to the extreme when Jesus suggested the removal of various body parts hindering the process (Mt 5:30). His point was not self-mutilation but the seriousness of sin hindering one’s progress.
Most people in the Bible are portrayed in a certain manner, and some are viewed as especially indulgent. A couple of biblical personalities stand out as favorable examples of self-control. David used self-control to avoid King Saul’s blood being on his hands. Abigail used self-control, while enduring life with her husband, Nabal. Daniel’s life of self-control prevented idolatrous worship, and it came with such zeal that it drew the ire of those in Babylon, who despised Daniel’s religious rigor. Joseph’s self-control with Potiphar’s seductive wife is honorable. When serving the Lord becomes a labor of love, discipline is pleasure, not a burden, as in Paul’s case. Jesus Himself grants us a view to the perfect disciplined life of devotion to God and denial of self.
Paul helps us with a practical application of self-control. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul responded to the church he planted in Achaia. They wrote and asked Paul about the best way to live as a Christian in relationship to marriage. Paul preferred the single life for the sake of disciplined devotion and freedom to serve. Marriage and family require much attention and many resources. Paul also saw the value of marriage for those who would turn to sexually immoral behavior for lack of self-control. It was better for these people to have a spouse.
If God disciplines those He loves, we can be assured of God’s providence to help us with the lifestyle best suited for us in serving our King. In this, self-control is required for elders to be qualified for service in the local church (Titus 1:8). Christians, growing in knowledge, should be growing in self-control. For this to occur, a believer must not grieve, resist, or quench the Holy Spirit. When this happens, however, we must confess it as sin and repent. In this way, self-control will be maintained until death. Just as the disciples asked Jesus for an increase in faith, so we can also ask God for an increase in self-control. With the preservation of the saint, by the Spirit, so is the perseverance of self-control.
Self-control helps us to press on toward the mark of our high calling in Christ. It is vital to our battle with temptations to sin. It is the removal of hindrances for our best exercise of our gifts and talents in service to Christ. Self-control is an attribute of Yahweh, vividly displayed in the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It comes to us through the life of God in our souls. Self-control is a spiritual product. The disciplined life of a Christian is exemplified by a runner with a finish line and a fighter with stamina to endure every round.
Every Christian must examine himself to honestly assess where indulgence has a stronghold. You know you are fighting a spiritual battle, and you are not helped by weakness in the flesh. Using the means of grace (ie. prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, sacraments) to strengthen you, with God’s blessing, you should see an increase in the production of spiritual fruit. Self-control may be the last on the list, but it is not least in importance.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
March 29, 2021
