WRITTEN BY DR. JIM GRASSI
In the midst of corrupt, immoral, and debased cultures, the Apostle Paul witnessed the young church struggling to stand firm in their faith. Young men were hard-drinking, fast-talking, unruly, flippant, morally lost, and disobedient to the church, especially in Crete where they were well-known for dishonesty, gluttony, and laziness. Paul urged Titus, his representative, to sound the alarm and wake up the believers to practice self-control. He instructed the older men and women to be godly role models and come alongside the younger generation, pushing them forward when they wanted to fall back and picking them up when they fell down (Titus 2:1-8). Paul knew they needed godly examples, spiritual mentors, who would teach them self-control.
A lack of self-control at its most extreme can lead to violence and all sorts of addictions. A lack of self-control plays out in many areas of life, though. For example, we need self-control to guard our tongues, follow through with our responsibilities, keep confidences, create and stick to good habits, and enjoy things in moderation. Self-control leads to maturity, which in turn strengthens self-control. Immaturity keeps people glued to video games and obsessed with food, shopping, pornography, and more. It keeps people from pursuing adult responsibilities, a career, and a marriage partner, and it breeds fear and apathy, preventing adults from making bold decisions. It is a modern-day plague. On the other hand, self-control improves our quality of life, reputation, health, relationships, and faith. However, having self-control is easier said than done. Spiritual mentors are essential, but they cannot give us self-control; that comes from the Holy Spirit.
Paul wrote, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
To be filled with the Spirit means the presence and power of the Holy Spirit lives in us, and self-control is actually a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The Spirit helps us fight temptation by empowering us with strength, discernment, and guidance to resist sinful desires and by transforming our desires and actions from the inside out to align with God’s will (John 14:26, Galatians 5:16). It keeps us on target, motivating us toward the disciplines of prayer, meditation, and studying God’s Word, which matures us and makes us more like Christ. Think of the self-control it took Him to resist temptation in the wilderness, submit to God’s will in the Garden of Gethsemane, and endure mockery, torture, and crucifixion (Matthew 4:1-11, 26: 36-46; John 19).
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is how to live a full and dynamic life; it is the secret to self-control.
Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14
Personal Application: Where do you need more self-control? How can you overcome impulsive and unwanted behavior? Seek out a spiritual mentor if you don’t have one and create a habit of spending time each day praying, reading God’s Word, and meditating on His truth.
- Taken in part from Act Like Men – Be Strong: How to Develop Biblical Manhood by Jim Grassi, D. Min.
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5