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Why do we exercise self-control?
- We exercise self-control because if we cannot manage ourself, we cannot lead anyone else.
“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains on their own appetites. Society cannot exist meaningfully unless a controlling power upon man’s appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there is without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.” (Edmund Burke, A Letter to a Member of the National Assembly, 19 Jan. 1791)
“Leaders must be self-controlled.” (Titus 1:8)
In a department store a young husband was minding the baby while his wife was making a purchase. The infant was wailing, but the father seemed quite controlled and unperturbed as he quietly said, “Easy now, Albert, control your temper.” A woman passing by remarked, “Sir, I must congratulate you! You seem to know just how to speak to a baby.” “Baby nothing!” came the reply. “MY name is Albert!” (Quoted in, Hampton Keathley, Self-control, www.bible.org)
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” (Proverbs 16:32)
“The only conquests that are permanent and leave no regrets are our conquests over ourselves.” (Napoleon Bonaparte, http://en.thinkexist.com/quotations/conquest)
Dwight Eisenhower had a terrible temper and got into many fistfights. Once, when he was not allowed to go trick-or-treating with his older brothers on Halloween, he furiously pounded his fists against an apple tree until they were bloody. His mother bandaged his hands and told him he had to learn to control that temper, adding “He that conquereth his own soul is greater than he who taketh a city.” He later called this the most valuable moment of his life.
- We exercise self-control because of the strong pull of the world and our fallen nature toward dissipation.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be…without self-control.” (II Timothy 3:1-3)
Self-control is a challenge because of the state of the human heart.
“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
- We exercise self-control because of the disastrous consequences if we do not.
“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28)
“The battlefield is chaotic and deadly, and it is on the battlefield that we hold the responsibility of enormous destructive power in our hands. There, most of all, self-control is the premier ethical virtue. Self-control is a crucial value for all Marines to develop. It requires discipline, patience, self-understanding, and a willing deference to others and the greater good. In a hectic world where so many things are beyond our control, self-control provides personal balance and a firm anchor of peace. As Marines develop self-control, they also improve their character.” (General C.C. Krulak, Marine Corp Guidebook, p. 80)
How do we exercise self-control?
- We exercise self-control through the love God has shown us in Christ.
“For the love of Christ controls us.” (II Corinthians 5:14)
- We exercise self-control by controlling our tongue.
“If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” (James 3:2)
“Whenever I have lectured throughout the country on the powerful, and often negative, impact of words, I have asked audiences if they can go for twenty-four hours without saying any unkind words about, or to, anybody. Invariably, a minority of listeners raise their hands signifying “yes,” some laugh, and quite a large number call out, “no!” I respond by saying, “Those who can't answer “yes” must recognize that they have a serious problem. If you cannot go twenty-four hours without smoking, you are addicted to nicotine. If you cannot go twenty-four hours without a drink, you're most likely an alcoholic. If you cannot go for twenty-four hours without saying unkind words about others, then you have lost control over your tongue.” (Quoted in, Character Journal, Self-Control, www.characterjournal.com)
- We exercise self-control with a quality decision every day.
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled…” (I Peter 1:13)
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