Self control

(Galatians 5:23) “…, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  

What drives you is a question that needs continual scrutiny. Snares and traps are everywhere and sadly we are so oblivious to so many of them. As beautiful as our God given senses are, they too are our biggest enemy when left to run riot.

Self control is a fruit of the Spirit which flows from the Second Covenant, a far better security than the First Covenant (the laws of God) – which in itself is very good but when stripped down in parallel to our lives proved to all of mankind that we are all sinners by nature and unable to live spotlessly under the first covenant and that we all are in desperate need of rescue. The Second Covenant (the finished work of the cross) when applied within the realms of the graces of God, which our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ has secured for us and for those who have been born of His Spirit, self control must begin to become evident in a believer’s life, although this is only one of the fruits of the Spirit it is arguably as important as the rest.  

When we use license to over indulge all we really prove is our lack of self control. Our natural senses taking control of the reigns as we once again walk with carnal mind-sets. The Apostle Paul goes on to conclude that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Have we?

These types of thoughts are not meant to tickle our intellect but rather drive us towards God in faith helping us to understand our weakness outside of Him. Life is a training field for the life to come its as simple as that and although we might get caught up with all the wrongs in our lives, not to say we should ignore them, seeing that we have been saved by grace and use license to live decadently…

Moreover this in itself can also be used to consume us with legality. Where should we draw the line? It is a simple answer; “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) – We must be consumed with our need to walk in the Spirit, its not enough just to claim salvation in and through the Spirit of God, for this is only one side of the instruction, we need to live and walk by the Spirit. Not one or the other but both truths should drive us towards self control. We must ask ourselves this question, can others see that I have been with Jesus?

Once again the Lord has helped me to see this a little clearer with the help of my belated brother in Christ, Charles Spurgeon and if we regard his council I am sure that self control will become more apparent in our lives.

“A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is his living biography, written out in the words and actions of his people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;” but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of him; he is like him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions.” A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness. Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.” Imitate Jesus in his holiness. Was he zealous for his Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was he self-denying, never looking to his own interest? Be the same. Was he devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had he deference to his Father’s will? So submit yourselves to him. Was he patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as he did; and let those sublime words of your Master, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.”” (Charles Spurgeon)

When others look at us can they see that we have been with Jesus? Let us therefore make every effort to live in the Spirit because that is where our God subsists.

Signing off

Tyrone