A Greater Need for Self-Control

For the past several weeks I have become more personally convicted for greater growth in the grace of "self-control" (see Gal.5:23). In helping me toward this growth, I have been encouraged and challenged by a book entitled, "Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave". This book is written by Edward T. Welch who is a well-known Christian counselor, and has served since 1981 as professor of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Welch's basic thesis in the book is that "addictions" are in truth a "worship disorder." In other words, this is really an issue of the heart and therefore a question of who or what we will worship. Will we worship ourselves and our own desires, or will we worship the true God?

Out of the twelve chapters that make up this book, there are two which are devoted to the issue of self-control. In the first of these two chapters, Dr. Welch seeks a proper biblical definition of self-control, which he rightly calls "a gift of the Spirit." As he unpacked this definition, I found his explanation extremely helpful, and I hope it will serve to edify you as well. In his definition, he states four important propositions:

1. Self-control means living within boundaries. Getting very practical about this, Dr. Welch says: "It means eating in public if we struggle with food. It means having passwords for internet accounts that must be opened by someone else; throwing out old reminders of the past idolatrous relationship; and never walking to a bar alone."

2. Self-control means thinking before acting. This is a really insightful principle. None of us ever think biblically before we sin. Sin works against us to crowd out any wise biblical instruction that would prevent us from giving in to irrational wicked cravings. Thus, to walk in self-control, is to think before we act. It is "considering the conquences of our actions in contrast to giving 'no thought to the way of life' (Prov.5:6). It is remembering what the Lord hates and choosing to hate those things too (Prov.6:16-19; 8:13). It is learning from the lessons of the past. It is meditating on the good instruction we have received (Prov.16:20) and being suspicious of our abilities to justify our own plans and desires."

3. Self-control is not emotional flatness or indifference. Rather than being a cold stoicism, self-control works with strong and powerful passions and cravings. But those passions are Godward and Christ-centered not sinful. Self-control, as a fruit of the Spirit, guards us and helps us fight against sinful passions while strongly encouraging godly passions.

4. Self-control is not self-dependence. This is hugely important to understand. "Self-control is...not the same as self-dependence, in which we rely on personal will power to control ourselves. Instead, self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a side effect of the fear of the Lord." In short, "self-control is a strategic countermeasure to the insatiable cravings of sin." A countermeasure that looks to Christ, trusts in His saving work, and depends on the indwelling presence of the Spirit as the source of power to resist the sin that remains in our members (see Rom.7:23; cf. 8:13). But it is a godly virtue that must also be cultivated by our acting upon the wise instruction of God's Word (Prov.1-9). Thus, it is "the skill of living a thoughtful, careful life in which we do what is right despite our desires. It is tested when we are alone or we feel unsatisfied. What do we do when no one is looking? Who or what will rule you then? Your desires or your God? Self-control is the skill of saying 'no' to sinful desires, even when it hurts."