but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled. Titus 1:8 (NKJV)
One can’t even begin imagining how life would be without fire. But what if fire couldn’t be controlled? Then living wouldn’t be possible.
The same goes for our own self. We are the reason for everything God planned and put here on earth. But if we ourselves are not under control then all of God’s creation is in chaos. A case of this already happened in the beginning when Adam acted without self-control and got the entire world into turmoil till today.
The reason our world is out of control is because our self is out of control – we are not self-controlled.
It all starts and depends on our self. When our selves are controlled, our lives, homes, communities, cities, countries and ultimately the entire cosmos will be under control.
When you can rule your spirit then you can rule a city.
Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV) [He who is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
In our theme Scripture Paul is enumerating some of the required qualities or qualifications of an elder or a leader in the Church and self-control is one of them.
Titus 1:5-9
If a leader can’t control himself then he can’t lead others into the orderly and organized life that self-control commands.
All of us are called to lead in a certain way. For example we all lead a certain life, responsibility or vocation. Hence we all must be self-controlled.
We ought to be self-controlled in the following areas.
Self-controlled in our thoughts and imaginations. We can choose and refuse any thought or imagination. See-2 Corinthians 10:5.
So it’s not true saying I can’t help but think about or imagine this or that.
Self-controlled in our passions especially anger. We can be angry and yet not let anger dictate to us how to act or react. See-Ephesians 4:26
Self-controlled in our appetites and desires – eating, drinking, sexual desires. Appetites and desires are given to us by God to enjoy the good things He’s given us in a right way. They shouldn’t drive us. Self-controlled in the area of money. Not allowing money or material possessions control our decisions and direction.
Self-controlled in how we talk. Always being careful about what we say, how we say it, how much we say, when and to who.
