Men's Ministry: Self Control

Character Trait: Self Control.

In the Greek: Egkrateia;

Definitions: the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetites

Root word: eÍgkrath/verb; robust having power over, temperate

The Adam Clarke Commentary: Temperance
A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints.

In truth self control is a very necessary attribute assisting to facilitate the process of our sanctification. According to 2 Peter chapter 1 our revelation of God goes hand in hand with our sanctification and consecration. 2 Cor. 7:1 admonishes us to give credence to this, making sure the work of consecration goes unimpeded. “Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.” AMP. We facilitate the sanctification process by discerning Who God is, what God desires and pursuing these in His grace.

Question: What is biblical self control?

“Fundamentally, self-control is the ability or power to rule or regulate one’s personal life so that we are neither driven nor dominated, as the apostle John puts it, by the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, or the pride of life (1 John 2:16; see also Gal. 5:19-21). These three, passion, pleasure, and pride, are those forces in the heart of man that energize his behavior patterns. It is to these inner forces that Satan and a fallen world appeal in order to promote a way of life that seeks to exist apart from God. The essence of such self-regulation is the ability to delay or refuse an impulse in the service of biblical truth, values, beliefs, and objectives. Self-control means to be in control of one’s attitudes or thought processes, desires or passions, and patterns or habits so they do not dictate one’s behavior. Speaking scripturally, self-control is a matter of the control of the self-life from within by spiritual means, i.e., by God’s weapons of spiritual warfare as described in the Word of God (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18; Col. 2:20-23).” Self-Control by J. Hampton Keathley, III.

Question: What is the goal of this self control?

Self-control is an important part of maturity. Infancy is in fact characterized by a lack of self-control. Babies must be carried and tended to because they lack the necessary control and muscle coordination to sit up, walk or run. in time, if a baby is healthy and normal, they will develop more and more self-control, which is a sure sign of growth and maturity. Figuratively speaking, self control in this respect equals liberty from those things that restrict us. This metaphor represents liberty to experience life however it is not meant as a liberation to sin, rather liberty from sin. We are not babies nor are we called to remain babes before the Lord. Maturity frees us to experience the life He gave us. Adding to our faith self control makes us responsible as well. Self control can act as a indicator revealing the condition and status of our relationship with the Lord. It is a chief mark of a maturing saint.

Question: How does self control liberate us? (discuss)

Adding to Our Faith Self Control:

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’ You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

Question: According to Peter, God’s goodness (virtue) revealed to us (knowledge) precedes a godly expression of self control. James infers there is a relationship between faith and works. How does this relationship correspond with Peter’s admonition to add to our faith self control? What is the connection between self control and our revelation of Jesus?

James is not preaching ‘salvation by works’. He is clearly corroborating Peter’s message of faith (revelatory and intimate knowledge of God) motivating us to obedience: self control, which is nothing less than applying an accurate godly expression of His Person. James implies that if you have faith; belief stemming from intimate knowledge and revelation of God Himself, you will express His heart producing His works. In this case compassion producing an act of kindness. Self control is nothing less than practicing godly character. Note, self control is not just about disciplining yourself not to do ungodly things rather it is more about practicing Godly attributes in our day to day living through obtaining intimate knowledge of His heart.

The Root of Self Control:

The chief foundation for Christian self-control is not just will power, regimented rules or positive thinking, it is Christ Himself. It starts and ends with our looking to Jesus. Our very success is based upon what we believe about the work of Jesus; his living, purpose, death & resurrection, His Priesthood and our response to these truths.

Quote: “Christian Self-Control in an Age of Dissipation” by Brian Schwertley.

“Before discussing biblical principles for self-discipline it is important to consider the foundation of self-control. If one were to survey modern evangelical books and essays on this topic, one would at best find some biblical advice on how to be holy and at worst find pop-psychology self-help books which are worthless. Unfortunately, there is little if any discussion of the person and work of Christ as the foundation for a disciplined, holy life.

Before we look at the biblical imperatives relating to godly discipline we must first understand that Christ is the source of sanctification. Jesus says, “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (Jn. 17:19). Paul writes, “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin….Likewise you also reckon yourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:6, 11). The apostle says, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Cor. 1:30-31). Peter also bases Christian living upon our mystical union with Christ. He writes, “Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Pet. 4:1-2; read Rom. 6:1-7:6; Tit. 2:13-14; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; Eph. 5:25-27; Heb. 13:12; Col. 3:1-5; 1 Pet. 1:2-4, etc). The New Testament emphasizes that the decisive events that determine the Christian life all occurred in the past in redemptive history. There is a covenantal and vital union between Christ and His people. This vital union determines our death to sin and our life of holiness. The ethical imperatives in the epistles arise out of and are rooted in the gracious indicatives of the gospel. Christ’s past is our past. His death is our death. His resurrection is our resurrection. Note how Paul bases his exhortations to the Colossians on the accomplished fact of union with Christ in His death and resurrection. “If then you were raised with Christ seek those things which are above where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God….Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:1-3, 5). How does this doctrine relate to Christian self-discipline? To live a life of Christian self-control we must continually look to the person and work of Christ. We must by faith look to His victory and draw upon His strength. Jesus’ overcoming of temptation, His sacrificial death and His glorious resurrection provides us with the spiritual power to overcome. The resurrected and enthroned King sends forth His Spirit to raise our dead hearts; to open our deaf ears and blind eyes; enabling us to believe, causing us to love God and repent of our sins. His work is the foundation. He is the “captain,” “author,” or “pioneer” of salvation in the most comprehensive sense of the term (cf. Heb. 2:10; 12:2).”

For Further Study: http://www.reformedonline.com/view/reformedonline/Self-control.htm

Question: How do we implement self control?

Recognizing Jesus as our source (not mere human will power); Jn. 17:19.

By “adding to your faith knowledge”. We are sanctified by the truth according to Jn. 17:19. Review 2 Peter 1; “May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control…” AMP.

By looking to His victory by faith; Hebrews 12:2; “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].”

By studying and meditating on His word. 2 Timothy 2:15; “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” ESV.

By practicing your faith. James 1:22; ”But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” KJV.

By practicing biblical accountability. 1 John 1:7; “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” KJV.

Matthew 7:24; "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock,” ESV.

Building a House:

In order to be successful, a builder must know the fundamentals of house building, what materials to use and very importantly how to interpret blueprints so that in the end one will build the house he has been contracted to build. Not any old house will do.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9-11; “You are God’s field, God’s building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.“

Here we discover that our chief blueprint to study and conform or build to is Jesus Himself. This speaks of what kind of foundation we must lay. This is the only foundation that will endure.

Luke 6:48; “he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.”

Question: How does self control liberate us? (discuss)

Question: What does scripture say about self control?

Prov. 13:3; careful speech protects our life, while careless words may ruin.

Prov. 12:16; The person who loses his temper easily is a fool. The wise person will quietly ignore insults.

Prov. 15:1; A gentle answer turns away someone’s anger but harsh words provoke it.

2 Timothy 1:7; “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” ESV.

1 Thess. 4:7,8; “For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God who gives his Holy Spirit to you.” ESV.

Proverbs 25:28; “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” ESV.

Responsibility to God:

Responsibility is a big word with lots of associations. We have work responsibilities, family responsibilities, physical & spiritual responsibilities. We thrive on them, loath them at times, both avoid them and seek them out.

Question: How does God see responsibility as it relates to self control? What is our responsibility here?

1 Thess. 4:2-4; “For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor;” KJV.

Romans 8:11-15; “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.“ KJV.

Responsibility to Family:

Ephesians 6:4; “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Colossians 3:21; “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”

Responsibility to the Lost:

Ephesians 5:1,15-17; “Walk in Love. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God… Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Responsibility to Lead & Mentor

“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

1 Peter 5; ”The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.” KJV. The level of self control in our lives will either empower or deplete our leadership.

As this responsibility relates to self control I want to quote J. Hampton Keathley, III; (Self-Control)

“For this reason and because of the issue of duplicity or spiritual hypocrisy, self-control is one of the qualifications called for in church leaders (see 1 Tim. 3:2). The principle is simply that he who would lead or govern or properly influence others for good, must first be the master of himself. As Peter reminds us, “For whatever a person succumbs to (i.e., is controlled by), to that he is enslaved” (2 Pet. 2:19). Samson, a man raised up by the Lord as a deliverer and judge over rebellious Israel, is another case in point. Samson strangled a lion; yet he could not strangle his own love. He burst the fetters of his foes; but not the cords of his own lusts. He burned the crops of others, and lost the fruit of his own virtue when burning with the flame kindled by a single woman. Since the absence of self-control can have such devastating results, it is naturally needed in every area of life and for all people. Unfortunately, the desire for self-control may have many motivations. It may stem from man’s self-centered or worldly objectives rather than from inner controls brought about by a deep relationship with God and biblical beliefs, motives, values, methods and means, and objectives. When and where such belief structures are absent, the absence of self-control in other areas will be just around the corner.

In our society where so much emphasis is placed on one’s physical appearance, many exercise extreme self-control to maintain a beautiful appearance, but exercise little self-control when it comes to moral issues such as sexual fidelity or honesty in business. For self-control to branch out into every compartment of one’s life, one needs the spiritual dynamics of a deep relationship with the living God as seen in such passages as 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. Just a casual reading of this passage dramatically demonstrates how faith in Christ, biblical instruction, and the reality of God’s activity, including His discipline on those who disobey, is to transform all avenues of a Christian’s life. This is contrasted with lustful passions of an unbelieving world that does not know God.

For further study: http://bible.org/seriespage/mark-10-self-control

Our Mission:

What then is our primary mission according to scripture?

Aspire to be conformed to the image of Jesus through diligent pursuance of godly knowledge that demonstrates godly love.

Seek God. Know God. Show God.