Self-control

Whether or not it’s true, I have heard that if you tie an anteater in close proximity to a large ant hill so that he cannot leave, he will eat himself to death! It appears that every time he sees an ant he just has to eat it – no self-control, just raw, deadly instinct. Self-control is a concept that can only be understood or practiced when an organism has a “self-consciousness” and the ability to reason or think through to the consequences of their actions. Since anteaters and other animals lack that awareness, they do not practice self-control. Tony, our dog, does not possess the reasoning ability to understand that being overweight is detrimental to his health, so he eats anything he can get a hold of, especially table scraps! If his diet is to be controlled, he will not do it, we will. There are even people who approach their own habits with this same animal-like detachment, claiming they have “no control” over their actions because it is “instinct”, or “natural”, or even the result of some kind of “disease” whether social, mental or physical. But the very fact that they claim “no self-control” reveals that they know they should control themselves and consequently have the power to do so.

Jesus, on the other hand, illustrates through His teachings and actions the kind of self-control that is valued in the Kingdom of God. It’s not a display of power or strength over the acts of the flesh, but rather a yielding that flows from love for the Father and results in a redirection of the desires of the mind and heart toward others rather than self. The amazing truth of God’s Kingdom is that self-control is realized when self is set aside for the good of another, while those who try to “control” self really end up feeding self and losing the battle. The power of love, especially love toward God, is the only strength that can bring the self under control as we “deny ourselves, take up our cross” and follow Jesus every day!

How exciting to be His people,

Pastor David Vanderpool