Self-Control, a gift of God's Wisdom

The desires of the senses are such that when we strive to quench them with fulfillment for a moment they seem to subside but then they come back with redoubled intensity. The sensual desires  are eliminated not by their fulfillment but by self-control. Self-control comes by making a firm decision at the time of temptation. It is a real struggle. In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul compares this process to that of an athlete.

Every athlete who goes into training and competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we do it to receive an imperishable crown that does not wither.

Therefore, I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air (shadow boxing).

But I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave.

[1 Corinthians 9:25-27]

We have five senses in our body through which we experience the world around us. They are necessary, but if they become uncontrolled, they can trip even the most noble of efforts. These senses desire their objects, and we rush to fulfill these urges of desire. The problem is these urges of desires of the senses are like a fire that we are trying to douse by pouring ghee on it. For a moment the fire seems to have gotten quenched, but then it arises with double intensity.

Lord Jesus, teaches his disciples a wonderful way to handle temptation. In the gospel according to St. Matthew, we read,

Keep actively watching and praying that you may not come into temptation.

[Matthew 26:41]

Also in the gospel according to St. Luke, we read,

Jesus said, "Pray continually that you may not fall into temptation"

[Luke 22:40]

Remember that when desires enter our thoughts they are so tiny. When a person took his/her first glass of alcohol, he never thought the day would come when it would grip his mind so strongly that he would not be able to live without it. Those little desires, when fulfilled repeatedly, grip the mind so strongly that they practically shackled it in iron chains. When we indulge in the pleasures of the senses, we do not realize that the same activity if repeated again and again can lead to the downfall of our lives. That is why at the first instance itself, check temptation, keep the senses in restraint. These are like the horses that need to be controlled. Let us practice the control with this knowledge that the sensual desires are not eliminated by their fulfillment but by self-control. Let this be the wisdom in practice.

Are we capable enough to put this knowledge to practice? St. Paul writes to his spiritual son Timothy,

God did not give us a spirit of timidity and cowardice or fear, but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of sound judgement and personal discipline that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control.

[2 Timothy 1:7]

We read in the second letter of St. Peter,

God's divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of God who called us by His own glory and excellence.

[2 Peter 1:3]

St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians, gives a clear message,

My brother and sisters, we were called to freedom; do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature, but through love serve and seek the best for one another.

[Galatians 5:13]

In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon, debating with himself on the vanity of the world, concludes saying,

Remember thoughtfully also your Creator in the days of your youth, for you are not your own, but His, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say of physical pleasures, “I have no enjoyment and delight in them.

[Ecclesiastes 12:1]

The end of the matter is: fear God, worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

[Ecclesiastes 12:13-14].

Now that we have read these scriptures, let us put them to practice with the Helper, who is sent by God Himself, The Holy Spirit.

Amen+