of bondage" (Galatians 5:1). The Apostle closes this same chapter, however, by calling for a demon stration of temperance or self-con trol (Galatians 5:23). We should overcome problems of hatred and envy, as an example, by walking in the Spirit. The good is to displace the bad. The ability to control one's life should be a sign of our conversion experience and our walk with the Lord. Temperance is a Greek com pound word combining the ideas of power or strength and the con cept of mastery or control. It is the picture of a powerful influence that has been mastered and neutralized. Self-control assumes there is a strong counter pressure which will urge another course of action in certain situations. As an example, suppose you are on a very strict diet. You are trying to lose as many pounds as you possibly can over the next few weeks. Doubtless you have a strong desire to eat because you are hun gry. The counter pressure comes in your desire to drop off excess pounds. As long as you do not eat, going beyond the confines of your particular diet, you exercise tem perance. You have control over your body's desire for food. Sup pose, however, you just get up from a huge meal. You have eaten everything you could possibly de vour. When you reject that third dessert it does not take a great deal of self-control. Why? There is now no powerful urge that has to be mastered; you are already stuffed. There is no benefit in boasting about self-control when there is no pressure that urges another course of action. In other words, if the Christian is to exercise self-control,
he must assume there will be temp tation. Paul declared that he wanted his life to count for Christ. He did not want anything that would ruin his effectiveness in reaching others. He points out, "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temper ate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (I Corinthians 9:25). In a race there are counter pressures opposed to having the body driven so hard. Yet, to win calls for rigorous discipline. The Apostle reminds us that there are going to be pressures in the Chris tian's life which might result in our giving a poor testimony if we suc cumb to some of them. The flesh always seeks the supremacy. Self- control indicates that a person has gained victory over strong pres sures which would encourage a different course of action. Theological implications of this subject take for granted that nor mally our old nature, the flesh, is going to demand certain patterns of life. Such things as hatred, jeal ousy, envy, impure thoughts seek to control us. Satan wants to have the supremacy. Yet, there is a greater power, the indwelling pres ence of the Holy Spirit, which can bring us victory. A productive Christian applies himself to the task of serving and living for Christ. This is the work of God. Willing effort on our part, however, is apparently needed for Paul constantly chal lenges Christians to a life of disci pline. The baby Christian will all too soon fall back into sins of the flesh. Self-control assumes that you will exercise the provisions Cod has made for our own welfare. This does not mean that Christianity is Page 23
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