Self-Control

A fruit of the Spirit in you

Christian Spirituality > Fruit Of the Spirit > self-control

What is Meant by Self-Control?

Self-control : [ "control" : < Late Latin contrarotulare < Latin contra- (against) + rotulus (registry, list, manifest, roll) < Latin rota (wheel). The idea was to keep control over the theft or loss of goods on a manifest, or of listing errors, by comparing it with a second listing. ]
Asserting power over or management of one's desires, lusts, emotions, and feelings, and related behaviors, by way of one's determination or will. The ability to tell yourself "no" and make it stick. The ability to direct one's own behavior and harness one's energies.

The Greek word used in Galatians 5:23 is egkrateia, which means having command or mastery over (krat- as in "autocrat"), or possession of, one's own behavior (eg-, akin to English "I"). In older English, it was often translated as 'temperance', which was more about moderation than control. 'Temperance' is no longer used for egkrateia because today 'temperance' usually means "sobriety, abstaining from alcoholic beverage". "Temperance" now more accurately translates forms of the Greek nephalios.

Forms of egkrateia are used in :

• a negative form means '' in 2 Timothy and in . (The King James Version translates the negative here as "incontinence", which has come to mean, er... a very specific kind of self-control in the English of today.) It's also used in the negative in , often translated as "self-indulgent".

In and , controlling one's own passions is harder than conquering a walled fortress city. Successful siege of a walled city is a difficult task; think of the long sieges by those who sought control of Jerusalem. If you can't control yourself, you'd be like the city after its walls are destroyed. You'd be defenseless, unable to restrain your anger or bridle your rash emotions.

In , he describes what happens when there is no ability to concentrate or make a clear decision (which are acts of self-control) : it's like a wave on a stormy sea.

Self-control or Self-Mastery

In , Paul notes the discipline it takes to compete in sports. Discipline is a way of developing self-control. Other aspects of what passes for 'normal life' get left behind in the focused, determined pursuit of a worthy goal. The same idea is found in the shedding of weight in . So it is also with spiritual discipline. By doing certain practices like daily prayer in a regular, disciplined manner, you exercise the inner "muscles" of self-control. It become easier to tell yourself "no", easier to maintain focus and keep your eyes on the prize.

Nowadays, "self-control" is belittled as "inhibition", which in turn is something we all must "free" ourselves from. Or, at least, that's what we're told repeatedly on TV and in music and advertisements. And there's a truth to it, namely that it isn't good to choke yourself off from the experiences of life. There's a place for new and fun and different and daring, for that too is how you grow. But the Biblical idea here is about mastery. Who is in control? What is the goal? If you are set on the course of following Christ, then there are some things in life which will take you off course, that will take you down another path. The unimportant can seem important, the enjoyable can become addicting or enslaving. Something is done "because it's there". It's as if your heart is drawn to another lover, which can turn into betrayal of the One who loves you. It's like being in a noisy barroom : the Spirit keeps calling to you, but unless you're focused on listening, the voice gets lost among the other noises. Self-control allows you to home in on the voice.

Another part of the picture is mastery over your religious passions. In this era, we've become much more aware of what happens when our beliefs stop drawing us to God and start becoming our god. Everyone knows all too well the violence and terror and hatred caused by this form of idolatry. But for Christians, a Christian belief system is a means to an end, the end being the relationship with our Maker and our Maker's purposes. It's meant as the outworking of God's love and God's truth, not as an engine for our hatred and our lies. If we love the path, it's because of Who it leads to, not because of the path itself. So even our religious passions have to be brought under control.

One tool for self-control that I find helpful is, strangely enough, talking to myself just loud enough for me to hear it. This is especially good as I go through the steps of a task. Some spiritual practices act in that way : they remind you of what you need to do to get to the goal, so you can keep focused.

Self-control is not just about not doing, it is also about doing. When a situation develops, take a good look at it. Figure out what needs to be done, when, and how. Then, take action accordingly. Both "jumping the gun" and procrastinating are signs of a lack of self-control. There is no timing where there is no self-control.

Self-control is grown by practice. But this practice isn't just about the parts of life that have gotten out of control. It's about everything else in life. For instance, it's not just about weight and eating, it's about cleanliness, temper, carelessness, and study habits as well. To use a postmodern buzzword, self-control must be seen holistically. If you work on overall discipline, it will start to build up your weakest areas, just as your weaknesses will eventually affect your strongest. However, this is an effect over time, rather than immediately. Our self-control is usually weakest right after we've had to give it heavy use. On this matter, brain research and testimonies of temptation both agree.

There are many paradoxes about self-control, but a key one is that it is best practiced with others. That is, have people in your life who will hold you accountable for your actions. It can be different people for different actions, and one person or a small group for the overall picture. Each of us behaves differently when we know someone else is paying attention. We're more aware of the consequences of our actions. Also, another person can alert us to when our self-control is at its worst, since that's when we're least likely to think of it.
Control your way to Top

No man is free who cannot command himself.
Pythagoras

No conflict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.
Thomas a Kempis