WHAT IS SELF-CONTROL? 2

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (I Corinthians 9:25).

John Tierny, New York Time columnist, wrote an article called, For Good Self-control, Try Getting Religious About It.* In it he cited research done by the Universities of Miami and Maryland which confirmed that religious people do tend to be more self-controlled than nonreligious people.

Why is that? Faith gives us purpose to live in a certain way so that we can live intentionally rather than simply being victims of our feelings, impulses and urges. Faith not only restrains us from negative behaviors, it motivates us to do right behaviors in spite of our feelings. Much of what is called "depression" is simply a lack of self-control. Faith gives us a reason and it gives us a resource to get up and get going. The dynamic of the Holy Spirit is essential to the formation of self-control in our lives--the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control (Galatians 5:23)!!

Faith in Christ does not mean that self-control problems will vanish, but it is the necessary first-step to a life of real purpose and fulfillment.

Grace&Peace,
Tom