The apostle Paul had returned to Jerusalem from his missionary journeys.  Certain Jews incited a riot because of him and the Roman authorities rushed in and rescued Paul; eventually they took him to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix the Roman governor. After the initial trial, Felix delayed making a decision. He later called for Paul, providing him an opportunity to preach to Felix about Jesus Christ.  Acts 24:24-26 “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” In discussing faith in Christ, Paul reasoned about three things: righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come. I wish to only concentrate on self-control at this time.  Did governor Felix need self-control?  Of course.  We don’t know all the areas of Felix’s life that he needed self-control.  But we do know that his wife Drusilla was also the wife of another man and that she and Felix were committing adultery.  So perhaps Paul’s discussion about righteousness, self-control and judgement to come was understood by Felix to address his lack of self-control to include his lack of sexual purity.

Some Bible translations use the word temperance instead of self-control. The word “temperance” is commonly used to denote moderation or abstinence in regard to alcoholic beverages.  But the original word denotes restraint in all passions and evil inclinations. I think the concept is better understood by the word “self-control” which is the discipline to control oneself to make the right choices and avoid the wrong choices.  Self-control assumes that we know the right choices; we just need to do what we know is right.

God has been so gracious to us.  He sent His Son to the earth to redeem us for Himself and give us salvation. Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Our proper response to God’s grace is to live soberly, righteously and godly and to be zealous for good works.  Since God has been so gracious to us, our every desire should be to live as He wants us to live.  This should be our motivation for self-control – to do what we know God wants us to do.

I believe that one area where we need self-control is in our thinking.  Jesus taught us that we can sin with our thinking.  Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  So how would a man use self-control in this situation? First, he would use self-control in where his eyes went.  When he recognized an attractive woman, he would look elsewhere rather than assess her attractiveness and continue to look at her.  Second, he would use self-control in his thoughts. He would control his thoughts so that he didn’t have lustful thoughts – he could turn his mind elsewhere.

Fear, worry, and anxiety are the result of our thinking.  These will fade away if we control our thinking. Philippians 4:6-9 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.” We can have the peace of God when we control our thinking, turn our concerns over to God and be thankful.  We are given an excellent list of things to think and meditate upon instead of being anxious.

We need self-control in resisting temptation and sin.  1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” God promises to provide a way of escape from temptation.  It is up to us to use self-control and take that way of escape.  With God’s help we can avoid sin; we also need self-control.

We need self-control in many areas of our life.  We already addressed self-control in our thinking and in resisting temptation. We also need self-control in what we eat and how much we eat.  We need self-control in what we drink and how much we drink.  We need self-control in how we spend our time.  We need self-control in what we do on the internet and social media.  We need self-control in what we say.  We need self-control in praying frequently and in reading and studying the Bible.  I suppose we need self-control in all areas of our lives.

The apostle Paul told us about his self-discipline and self-control.  1 Corinthians 9:25-27 “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” Another translation says “every competitor must exercise self-control in everything.” Paul said that he disciplined his body and brought it into subjection. He is describing his self-control.

The fruit of the spirit includes self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Since self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, this tells me that we don’t have to do everything in our own strength.  I encourage you to submit to God; let the Holy Spirit help you in your weaknesses and produce the fruit of self-control in your life.