Selfie and Self-control (Alcina Chipeio)

Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage (Thucydides)

Before we discuss self-control, I want us to first understand what control means.

According to the dictionary, control is the power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events.

For example we can make a statement saying, "the whole operation is under the control of a production manager"

That means someone is taking charge and giving direction.

Similar words to control mean:

jurisdiction, sway, power, authority, command, dominance, domination etc.

Another meaning of control means,

a person or thing used as a standard of comparison for checking the results, of for example a survey or an experiment.

So it therefore can mean a standard of comparison

benchmark or it also means to determine the behaviour or supervise the running of something or someone.

From the definition of control it means that someone usually sets the standard that others need to follow especially within a controlled environment.

Here is the thing, when we say we are Christians, we follow the standard of Jesus, right? We set the standard that others need to follow and we become the benchmark in that area or environment. When we fast and pray to ensure alignment with God, we are creating alignment that brings greater clarity to the standards we need to follow, the direction we need to take, the behaviours we need to follow, the behaviour that others follow by watching us.

As a Christian, we are the highest authority in a particular place. It means we are supposed to be the "Influencer" in that environment. Our lifestyles should make people wonder who is in charge, who is in control of it.

The word of God says in 1 Timothy 1:7 that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of Love, Power and a Sound a sound mind. In some translations, it states, Love, Power and self control.

I believe that means, that we need to be the highest standard where we are, not only in our words, but in our fruit and our actions.

As we grow up, we tend to rebel against the standard, the benchmark that God put forward as Jesus in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the guide that convicts us and course-corrects us.

However, what I'm trying to say is that we try to control others using our actions or emotions, but we don't use the benchmark degisned by God which is our standard of control. We focus much more on how we feel and how unfair the world is towards us that we forget that it's not about us.

Proverbs 16:32 says, Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

For me that means, that we need to manage our self and how we are around others first before we hastily take over bigger territory, and eventually the world. We cannot run to take over something when we have no structure on which we stand. In the same way I don't belive God will bless us with abundance if we cannot master control over the little details in our lives.

In order to be a steward one needs to know the details first and have dominion over it.

What is in our control, what can we empower ourselves to steward without being told?

Any time anyone else has to call you aside to remind us of our responsibilities shows me that there is still much to be learnt about self and self responsibility which ultimately is the basis of self control.

What should we have control over, we may ask? I can make a list, but it really depends on the circumstances of each...

Our health,

Our relationships

Our financial discipline

Our cleanliness

Our environment

Our community

Little things like, our meals, washing dishes, bathing,washing hands etc. We are in control of those elements. In primary school we needed someone to remind us to take a bath, wash our hands, clean our mouths, maintain the the place clean and organize, but as adults, this should not even be a topic of discussion.

1 Corinthians 13 11, the word says, when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

Being a man means that we are able to control our self, our emotions and apply Godly authority over what God has asked us to steward. That includes maturing in our self discipline, self control and by being an "Influencer". We are expected to set the standard of Godly behaviour.

Next time someone has to tell you to take a bath, wash the dishes, or wear clean clothes, it reminds me of someone who is not yet an adult according to the Word of God. Being an adult is not about our height, age, size or even position in the family, being an adult is a choice. When one realises you are an adult, you will out childish ways behind. Being an adult is therefore about behaviour and spiritual maturity.

When we come across peers who have not yet out their childish ways behind, we need to encourage, coach and continue to be the Influencer God called us to be in this world.

After all in Mathew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden, Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Put childish ways behind and grow in spiritual maturity so that we can carry out the work that was predestined for us to do long before the foundations of the earth were laid.