By Eric Tan
Self-help, self-empowerment, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-concept… these words, so prevalent nowadays in many circles, have permeated our culture and are very common concepts to us. A known, but less popular and somewhat opposite concept to all these is the concept of self-control. In contrast to the other concepts, self-control seems to deal with restraining yourself whereas the others, to indulge.
Self-control is the ability to control one’s emotions, desires, and behavior in order to obtain some reward later.
The Bible encourages us to have self-control because it is necessary to becoming Christ-like (2 Peter 1:6). It is through controlling ourselves that we develop the kind of character that God wants us to exhibit. But how many times have we tried to control ourselves and failed?
The word self-control runs somewhat counter to being filled with the Holy Spirit as the word itself implies that “you” or your “self” will control your actions. But the Bible says that it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means that having self-control is not directly through our actions. It is after we are filled with the Holy Spirit that we gain self-control and not vice versa.
As Christians, we are already freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 8:1-3). But we are not yet free from committing sin (Rom 7:18) and the consequences borne from those sins.
To control one’s self is to yield or submit to the will of God and the Holy Spirit (Luke 9:23). It is not through our own efforts but by His grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. It is a by-product of putting our faith in Jesus and obeying Him.
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