Every four years, millions of Americans gather around their TV’s to watch the Olympics. We marvel at the athlete’s physical feats and watch slack-jawed as their athletic prowess captivates the entire world. By the time an athlete has worked her way to the Olympics, she has spent tens of thousands of hours training for those few moments in the spotlight. But behind an athlete’s exceptional physical ability is a remarkable degree of self-discipline. The Bible calls it self-control. To reach the pinnacle of Olympic competition, athletes have exerted self-control over their work ethic, training schedule, attitude, thoughts, diet, and mental focus. In a real sense, they’ve said “no” to everything that didn’t line up with their vision of becoming an Olympic competitor.
Not many of us will feel compelled or have the athletic ability to pursue a gold medal, but we all need self-control to reach our potential. In fact, a lack of self-control will cause us great heartache. The Scriptures teach that a lack of self-control leaves us vulnerable (Prov 25:28) and unable to reach our potential (1 Cor 9:25). Simply put, self-control is the ability to delay gratification for a greater good. We need self-control to:
- Earn a diploma
- Get & keep a job
- Excel in our careers
- Raise children
- Control our moods
- Speak kindly
- Maintain a healthy body
- Avoid overspending
- Save money
- To enjoy healthy relationships
- To keep commitments
- Hit goals
- Reach our potential
Without self-control, we are slaves to our every whim and want. If we don’t learn to manage ourselves, our lives will become nothing more than catering to our most recent longing. Most of us can exert a degree of self-control in some areas of our lives but lack it in others. I know that’s the case for me. The good news is we can improve. Here are three things the Bible teaches us about self-control.
- All Christians have a degree of self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” This passage should increase our confidence that as believers we do indeed have the self-control we need to meet the challenges we face.
- We can increase our self-control, and the Bible commands us to. 2 Peter 1:5-6 teaches that Christ followers are to grow in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Peter says if we continue to increase in these qualities “they will keep you from being ineffective.” (1 Peter 2:8, emphasis mine).
- Self-Control Is a Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit resides in all Christians and produces godly character in our lives. The Holy Spirit gives self-control to the Christian so that we can resist the power of the flesh. If we lack self-control, it’s wise to pray and ask for the ability to exert the self-control we need in particular areas.
Self-control is like a muscle, and the more it’s used, the stronger it becomes. Each time we say “no” to our flesh, we become stronger. That doesn’t mean we should never give ourselves any leniency. Only Jesus is perfect. But to live the lives He died to give us; we need self-control in increasing measure. To reach our potential, we have to learn to tell ourselves “no”. Like the athletes who prepare for the Olympics, we can be people who say “no” to things that don’t line up with the vision we have for our life. If we do, we’ll find the reward to be worth the wait.
