Perhaps nothing is more difficult to practice in this instant-everything age than self-control. Having disciplined and well-reasoned control over what we watch, what we eat, how we speak, and so many other areas of life is as important as ever. Proverbs 25:28 wisely states, “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” A lack of self-control exposes us to danger and eventually destruction. The flip side of it, of course, is that self-control protects us and others as well.

Time and again the Bible shows how God restraints His righteous anger as He calls people to repentance. Jesus displayed this on the night of His crucifixion. As He was about to be arrested, His disciples were agitated. Personally, I imagine that the whole host of heavenly army stood ready to defend the honor of their Supreme Commander. Yet Jesus told His disciples, “Do you think that I cannot call on my Father, and He will provide me here and now with more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mat 26:53). One legion equals 6,000 troops. A single angel once decimated 185,000 soldiers overnight (2 Kings 19:35). You do the math.

What restraint Jesus exercised to accomplish our salvation! As we approach Good Friday, we are reminded of how God expressed His love for sinners is through this ultimate act of self-control.

Paul writes, “The fruit of the Spirit is … self-control” (Gal 5:22-23).  One of the marks of our salvation is that we become more and more like our Saviour. Like Jesus, self-control means choosing God’s will over our impulses, His glory over our comfort. The Holy Spirit who empowered Jesus to walk the path to the cross now is shaping our desires to say “no” to what destroys and “yes” to what gives life.

Reflection:

• What immediate desires I might need to surrender for a greater, eternal good?
• Where is God calling you to practise self-control?

This devotion is sent weekly to staff during school terms. It has been lightly edited for a general audience.