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We Must Develop The Character of Self-Control
By Emmanuel Donkor
We often hear how the world is gradually becoming a dangerous place to live. Young men and women disobey their parents, as self-centeredness has become a common phenomenon. People tend to seek their own interests more than that of other people in society. Courtesy is important to have, but often enough, it is rather neglected. The current conflict between Israel and Lebanon is an example of what has come to symbolize the current state of the world.
There are fundamental factors that govern the world in which we live in. Considering the current state of the world, it is clear to see that people have turned away from God. They have rejected the truth and knowledge of the Word of God.
The world was founded on the Word of God, and Genesis chapter one makes reference to it. In this chapter, God fashioned what was a ‘formless and empty’ world by His Word (Genesis 1:2). In the same way, God through the prophets and the apostles laid down principles on how to conduct our lives on earth. In Galatians 5 verses 16-26, Paul emphasized the importance of living by the spirit and overcoming the desires of the flesh. By doing so, it will inevitably have a positive effect on people in the world and thus fulfill God’s plan for mankind.
The spirit of self-control is one of the many virtues that must be encouraged among believers and the world as a whole. The Bible describes self-control as one of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Do you ever wonder whether the situation between Israel and Lebanon would have been different if they had exercised self-control? What would it be like if all the “Terrorists” exercised self-control? What would the world be like if everyone else did the same too?
The story of Dinah and Shechem, found in Genesis 34:1-31, is a good example of the consequences of not having self-control. The story also shows us how easily a person’s blessings are forfeited due to lack of self-control.
In the story Dinah, “the only daughter born to the patriarch Jacob is raped by Shechem.” The outcome of this incident is violence, as it leads to the deaths of many Hivites. Even though Shechem loved Dinah for “his heart was drawn to Dinah and spoke tenderly to her” (Genesis 34:3), he went about it the wrong way. It was only after he had ‘violated’ her that he asked his father, Hamor to ask Jacob for Dinah’s hand in marriage.
Levi and Simon also showed lack of self-control by taking revenge. There are other characters in the Bible who have missed out on God’s promises by showing a lack of self-control. Usurping the priestly function, a function performed by Samuel as the prophet of God, Saul lost what could have been an opportunity to establish a dynasty in Israel.
On the other hand, David showed restraint and as a result, established a dynasty with the reign of Solomon (1 Samuel 23-25). Even when he had the opportunity to kill Saul, he acknowledged Saul as the Lord’s anointed; refusing to kill him. The world needs people with strong character, who would not bend the rules to satisfy their own selfish goals.
At this point, I would like to ask the following questions:
- What do you do in secret, when nobody is around?
- What is your first reaction when somebody offends you?
- Do you allow God to take control because vengeance is His?
- For the brothers and sisters who are dating; are you determined to live pure and holy lives until you are ready to marry?
- Are you patient enough to wait for God’s direction?
There is no doubt that when we develop self-control, we would be in tune with God’s spirit, and it then becomes easy for Him to pour out His blessings on us.
We can show the Fruit of the Spirit by surrendering our lives to God. We need to entrust our decisions and burdens to God, as He is the one who gives us peace in the midst of our storms for “He creates everything beautiful in its time and also sets eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
Self-control would enable the leaders of our nations, to make our world a strife and violent free world.
We would be glorifying God if we live a life that is pleasing unto Him. We ought to put away the ‘Shechem’, ‘Levi’ and ‘Simon’ spirit that deprives the world and ourselves the peace and blessings that God has already given to us. God is a good God and would not withhold anything good from us. The ball is now in our court. i
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