Just one more!
We all know the feeling—the feeling of wanting just one more. Just one more Netflix episode. Just one more cookie from the cookie jar. Just one more thing that we have to purchase right this minute. Of course, we all also know that it is never just “one more.” Just one more episode turns into staying up until 3 a.m. watching your favorite TV show. Just one more cookie turns into having difficulty fitting into your jeans. And just one more purchase turns into an overwhelming amount of credit card debt.
Self-control is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, which all Christians are called to possess (Galatians 5:22-23), but it’s a very difficult thing to actually put into practice. It’s been a struggle for human beings to control themselves ever since the Garden of Eden, and we’ll have to wrestle with our wayward desires for as long as God has us on this earth. Practicing self-control is even harder around the holidays, when indulgent foods, big sales, and movie marathons are around every corner. In times like these, we must lean into self-control more than ever before. But why? Why is self-control so important?
Like I already mentioned, self-control is one of the nine attributes listed in Galatians 5 that we are able to possess and practice through the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in our lives. This is not the only time the Bible talks about self-control. Throughout the New Testament, believers are repeatedly reminded and commanded to live self-controlled lives (Titus 1:8, 2:11-12; 2 Peter 1:5-7). Since having self-control is a requirement of the Christian life laid out in God’s Word, we ought to cultivate it.
However, being self-controlled is not just about obeying Scripture and pleasing God (though that should be reason enough!). It also protects us from sin and temptation. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon writes,
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28, ESV
Nowadays, we typically don’t built walls around our cities. But in ancient times, many, if not most, cities across the world constructed walls around them to protect themselves from their enemies. If one of these cities was attacked and their walls were destroyed, they would become vulnerable and nearly defenseless against all her foes. And it’s the same way with the Christian life. Christians without the wall of self-control are vulnerable to the many temptations that surround us on a daily basis and are nearly defenseless against indwelling sins, like laziness, gluttony, idolatry, pride, and more.
When we practice self-control and resist temptation, we are able to remain sober-minded. The attributes of self-control and sober-mindedness are often linked in Scripture (1 Peter 4:7, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 2:2). When someone is called “sober” in today’s world, it means their minds and bodies are free from the influence of drugs or alcohol. Similarly, a Christian who is sober-minded is free from the influence of sin and temptation. They are able to live the holy life that God has call all of us to live (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The Bible makes it clear that having self-control is important, but how can we practically pursue it? Thankfully, we don’t have to figure it out on our own. God has given us His Holy Spirit, who indwells, trains, and corrects each and every one of us. He strengthens us and empowers us to live self-controlled lives (2 Timothy 1:7). God has also promised that He will always provide for us a way of escape from our temptations. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthian church,
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Of course, resisting temptation and being self-controlled is not just God’s responsibility. We have been given the Word of God, and we have the responsibility to obey it—to avoid the sins It condemns and pursue the virtues It praises. Doing this is not easy, but it will help us to be holy and have self-control. And it demonstrates to us and those around us that the gospel is powerful and able to truly transform those who believe it.
Over the next few weeks, I imagine your self-control is going to be greatly tested. You’re going to feel sucked in by those nonstop feel-good Hallmark films. You’re going to receive platters of Christmas-themed treats from your neighbors and co-workers. You’re going to see fifty percent off sales at all your favorite stores. But before you indulge yourself, take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I being self-controlled? Would this activity be pleasing to the Lord?” Watching movies, eating sugary snacks, and shopping are not inherently sinful (and are things that I also love to enjoy!), but they can quickly morph into sinful habits like laziness, gluttony, and idolatry if we are not careful to control our fleshly impulses. Whatever you do to celebrate this holiday season, be sure to do it in holiness and with self-control.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
