Self Control

The concept of self control is at the heart of alcohol and substance abuse issues. If one exercised self control then one could consume alcohol in moderation so as to not get drunk . If one employed self control one could decline using drugs when available just as one might decline the addition of cream to their coffee. One would be "in control" and would only engage in an activity if that was one's choice and then only to the extent desired. However, an individual engaged in alcohol or substance abuse usually gives the appearance of having abandoned any serious attempt at self control and, if they have embraced the concept of powerlessness, may even quite strongly discount the concept of control over one's life in general. Whether or not one really has no self control will be addressed later as we will begin by addressing the concept of self control as a "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:23).

As is often our approach in these studies we will first identify and define* the applicable Greek words and address their usage in various New Testament references.

G1466. egkrateia; from G1468; self-control (especially continence): -- temperance;

G1467. egkrateuomai; to exercise self-restraint (in diet and chastity): -- can contain, be temperate;

G1468. egkrates; strong in a thing (masterful), i.e. self-controlled (in appetite, etc.): -- temperate; and

G4995. sophronismos; from G4994; discipline, i.e. self-control: -- sound mind.

When speaking of possessing self control the two main passages referenced are Galatians 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (egkrateia); against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." and 2 Peter 1:5-8, "Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge; and in your knowledge, self-control (egkrateia), and in your self-control (egkrateia), perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

It should be remembered that all those who have been born again have received the Holy Spirit and that self control is one of the gifts received, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline (sophronismos)(2 Timothy 1:7).

That self control is an obtainable ability is illustrated both in the qualifications of an elder from Titus 1:7-8, "For the overseer must be ... self-controlled (egkrates)," and in the realities of athletic competition from 1 Corinthians 9:25, "And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control (egkrateuomai) in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."

In fact, because an overseer (elder, bishop, pastor) is to have achieved self control in his life let us take a broader look at similar attributes a man in this office is to either possess or not to possess as the case may be with emphasis on the following additional Greek words:

G2887. kosmios; orderly, i.e. decorous: -- of good behavior, modest;

G4998. sophron; safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): -- discreet, sober, temperate;

G3524. nephaleos; or nephalios; from G3525; sober, i.e. (fig.) circumspect: -- sober, vigilant;

G3943. paroinos; staying near wine, i.e. tippling (a toper): -- given to wine;

G4131. plektes; a smiter, i.e. pugnacious (quarrelsome): -- striker;

G1933. epieikes; appropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild: -- gentle, moderation, patient;

G269. amachos; peaceable: -- not a brawler; and

G3711. orgilos; irascible: -- soon angry.

(1 Timothy 3:2 NASB) An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate (nephaleos), prudent (sophron), respectable (kosmios), hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine (paroinos) or pugnacious (plektes), but gentle (epieikes), uncontentious (amachos), free from the love of money.

(Titus 1:7-9 NASB) For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered (orgilos), not addicted to wine (paroinos), not pugnacious (plektes), not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible (sophron), just, devout, self-controlled (egkrates), holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

In terms of alcohol and substance abuse issues these highlighted attributes of an elder have special meaning to one struggling with the sin of drunkenness. It is therefore important to note that, within the congregational setting, there are readily identifiable resources who have the ability to instruct (apt to teach) available to assist the struggling sinner develop their own ability to exercise control over their actions.

>From the Greek sophron previously translated as prudent and sensible come more narrowly defined applications of the concept germane to our discussion. Specifically:

G4993. sophroneo [to be of sound mind, i.e. sane, moderate: -- be in right mind, be sober (minded), soberly] translated as sound judgement in Romans 12:3 and 1 Peter 4:7 and sensible in Titus 2:6.

G4994. sophronizo [to make of sound mind, i.e. to discipline or correct: -- teach to be sober] translated as teaching both what is good and to be sensible (sophron) in Titus 2:3-5.

G4997. sophrosune [soundness of mind, i.e. sanity or self-control: -- soberness, sobriety] translated as discreetly in 1 Timothy 2:9 and self restraint in 1 Timothy 2:15.

A similar concept from a different root word is G3525. nepho [to abstain from wine (keep sober), be discreet: -- be sober, watch] translated as sober in reference to one's spirit in 1 Peter 4:7.

So how do we develop this fruit of the Spirit called self control? First we must realize that we have it (2 Timothy 1:7). Second, we probably need to be trained in its use (Titus 2:-5, Hebrews 12:11). And lastly, we need to exercise the gift so as to increase its strength as addressed in the following references:

G1128. gumnazo [to practice naked (in the games), i.e. train: -- exercise] translated as discipline in 1 Timothy 4:7, "But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline (gumnazo) yourself for the purpose of godliness..." Other translations include practice in Hebrews 5:14 and trained in Hebrews 12:11.

As a parting thought, if we say we have no self control do we speak the truth? Do we really run wild without the ability to exercise any type of restraint? Are we really without any semblance of rational thought or ability to take action that will avoid immediately fatal courses of action? Do we not, in fact, seek to generally minimize gross ruin of our material possessions and our physical being? Do we not generally establish boundaries to the extent of our activities and then generally respect them even if we do choose to adjust them from time to time? Do we not, in fact, establish the parameters and choose the measure of self control we wish to exercise?

*All definitions are from the Dictionary of the Greek Testament by James Strong.

Self Control

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