The Power And Purpose Of Self-Control

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Edmund Hilary the first man who conquered Mount Everest was asked by an interviewer about his passions for climbing mountains. He gave this reply: "It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves."

Peter the Great of Russia is quoted as saying, "I have been able to conquer an empire, but I have not been able to conquer myself."

Hugo Grotius, the Dutch Jurist and scholar said, "A man cannot govern a nation if he cannot govern a city, he cannot govern a city if he cannot govern himself, and he cannot govern himself unless his passions are subject to reason."

King Solomon says, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control". (Proverbs 25:28)

INTRODUCTION: In a world where immediate gratification is often the norm, the biblical virtue of self-control seems like it belongs to a bygone era. However, as followers of Christ, we are called not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). In a time when the pace of life is ever-accelerating, and our senses are constantly bombarded with stimuli urging instant action and reaction, the Biblical virtue of self-control remains as pertinent as ever. We are called to navigate a world of endless opportunities and choices, where discerning the will of God requires a steadfast discipline of heart and mind.

Self-control, as one of the fruits of the Spirit listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" is a direct manifestation of a life led by the Spirit. It is about having mastery over our desires, impulses, and inclinations that do not align with God’s will. Self-control is not about simply restraining ourselves; it is about living in submission to the Spirit and allowing God to direct our passions and choices. Through self-control, we are called to rule over our own spirits and resist the pull of sinful desires. In a broader sense, self-control underpins our ability to live out all other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, making it foundational to our Christian character.

WHY SELF-CONTROL?

The need for self-control is as old as humanity itself. From the moment Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the battle between flesh and spirit began (Genesis 3). As Proverbs 25:28 puts it succinctly, "Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control." Solomon illustrated the vulnerability of a life lived without this discipline. Self-control protects us, keeping our desires and impulses in check so that we can make godly decisions.

Jesus Himself modeled self-control in the wilderness, resisting Satan's temptations not through sheer will, but through obedience to God's Word (Matthew 4:1-11). He shows us that self-control is not merely the suppression of desires, but the aligning of them with God's commands and promises.

Let us dive into the Word of God to understand why self-control matters, how God is building this virtue in us, and how we can apply it in today’s context.

WHY DOES GOD BUILD SELF-CONTROL IN US?

1. TO REFLECT HIS HOLINESS

God is holy, and He calls His children to live holy lives. Self-control is the discipline needed to follow His commands and avoid sin. Scripture reminds us in 1 Peter 1:16, "Be holy, because I am holy." This holiness demands that we surrender our desires and align them with God's righteousness.

For example, Joseph demonstrated extraordinary self-control when he resisted Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12). Even though he was in a position of power and temptation was readily available, Joseph chose obedience to God above personal gratification. Today, we face temptations of all kinds—sexual immorality, greed, pride—but self-control enables us to remain steadfast as a witness to God's holiness in our lives.

2. TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE

God equips us with self-control so that we can fulfill the purposes He has for us. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this beautifully. In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul compares our spiritual journey to being an athlete in training: "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one." Self-control allows us to persevere and focus on living for Christ rather than being distracted by temporary desires or worldly pursuits.

In today's context, this might mean resisting the urge to chase status, wealth, or shallow success, and instead prioritizing faithfulness to God's calling. How much more effective are we in ministry when we surrender to His discipline rather than our own fleeting ambitions?

3. TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

Without self-control, we can become enslaved to unhealthy habits, which pull us farther from God's presence. Proverbs 25:28 warns, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” This image reminds us that self-control fortifies our spiritual lives, creating barriers against sin and fostering intimacy with God.