1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
As I sit here pondering these words by the Apostle Paul, one thought just keeps running through my head—SELF CONTROL. Have you ever said or heard someone say, “I just can’t control myself”? There are a lot of dangers that threaten individuals, as well as our society, but I believe that one of the greatest is a lack of self control. It just seems as if people today are running wild with absolutely no restraint on what they say or do. While I do not want to get into politics, I must say that even our government is caught up in this frenzy. Self control is, in my mind, without a doubt, one of our most needed characteristics today.
I will admit that the conquering of self will engage us in one of the most severe conflicts we will ever face in this life. Maintaining self control is indeed a difficult task and all of us can testify to that premise. So the question becomes, “How do we achieve this much need self control?’
I believe that it all begins with a pearl from Proverbs: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Prov. 4:23). Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as we think in our heart so will we be. What goes into the heart is what will come out in our speech and deeds. I love the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8 , “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” James tells us to submit ourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7). I know not what those words may mean to you but as for myself, they tell me that God must mold my every thought, he must fill my heart and he alone must guide my life (Rom. 12:1). I remember reading the words of one man who said, “this is like waving a white flag before God and saying, I surrender all to you”. How true that is. Open your song book to that beloved song, All To Jesus I Surrender. Thoughtfully read the words and then ask yourself, do these words truly apply to me.
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Keeping the heart with all diligence will keep us from engaging in the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21, 1 John 2:15-17). It will enable us to comply with Eph. 4:25-32. It will keep our speech clean and our minds pure (James 3:10, 1 Tim. 5:22, 2 Tim. 2:22). It will take a lot of self control to keep our hearts as they should be kept! One thing is for certain, our faith must grow stronger with each passing day (2 Pet. 3:18). The disciples of Jesus once made request of him, “Lord increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). I wonder, how often do we make the same request? Know this, it will only happen if we put forth the effort to make it happen (1 Pet. 2:2, 2 Tim. 2:15)
Self control—what an awesome goal for all of us in this day where there is such a lack of self control.
Charles Hicks
