Self control: a behavior limiting act of an individual that keeps check on the notions to engage in wrong or the doing of something that might not be right for the moment, though the act isn’t wrong in and of itself and wholly appropriate when done at another time and place.

In the Book of Romans Paul addressed the dilemma of doing right versus wrong. He wrote: [Rom 7:15] For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. [Rom 7:16] If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. [Rom 7:17] Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. [Rom 7:18] For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. [Rom 7:19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. [Rom 7:20] Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  In these verses we see the constant tension of trying to do right when the opportunity to sin is ever present. What Paul wants to do he doesn’t and that which he doesn’t want to do he does. His desire is to do good and when he doesn’t he says sin has taken control. 

He goes onto point out that even though he serves God he still serves sin because he can’t overcome death caused by sin except by following Christ. [Rom 7:21] I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. [Rom 7:22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: [Rom 7:23] But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. [Rom 7:24] O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? [Rom 7:25] I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  Self control won’t stop eventual death for mankind. At some point in each individual life death must come.

With the exception of death, each individual does have control over their conduct. Evil is the opposite of God’s ways. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians in Chapter 5 wherein he was speaking of good conduct as a follower of Christ, he wrote: [1Th 5:22] Abstain from all appearance of evil. The following personal story will help illustrate the idea of abstaining from evil appearances and self control:

When a young lad of about 12 my family was going to visit friends one winter night. We passed a club that dispensed liquor and had a stage show. My father remarked that he would like to see what went on in there since he knew some people who frequented the business. In my child like innocence I said he should go in and see. He said he couldn’t and then explained to my question of why, that being a teacher required him to conform to a certain level of conduct that wouldn’t appear to be evil. Though there wouldn’t be anything wrong with his going into the club, it would be wrong for him since his image as a teacher in the community could be damaged, though he would be totally innocent of wrong doing. He didn’t want to be known as having been seen going into and exiting that type of business.

How does one abstain from all appearances of evil given all the things that might not appear evil to the doer but will to observers? Remember the definition of self control in the first paragraph? Peter wrote to the Christians: [2 Pet 3:16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. [2 Pet 3:17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [2 Pet 3:18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  Learn what God and Christ teaches you about leading the new life in Christ and thereby you will grow in knowledge of his way. Paul wrote in Colossians 3:16-17: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.  Maintain self control by encouraging one another in Christ and abstain form appearances of evil and evil itself by living for Jesus Christ.

 © 03-05-2006 DEC

                                 Next Lesson Ravenous Wolves