The system of this world is designed to lower man’s defenses against sin and to corrupt him through lust (2 Peter 1:4). Sin corrupted us in such a way that, when we are wronged, we desire revenge or succumb to bitterness and unforgiveness. Additionally, if someone does not like us we do not like them either. Sadly, we become a product of what transpires to us and we are controlled by external circumstances. Moreover, we may be exposed to something unintentionally and fail to look away. When our eyes behold the forbidden, excuses are made to indulge in it instead of looking away. We therefore normalize it, failing to realize that we have relinquished our power.
God holds man to a higher standard
Every human being is cognizant of the fact that we are called to live to a higher standard by God. Certain behaviors are acceptable in animals however they are unbecoming to us. Yet, we observe individuals resorting to bestial, brutish behaviors. Evidently, the fall corrupted man.
A constant state of trading
Imdividuals fail to recognize that we are in a state of trading, and we should exercise caution so as not to trade what is valuable for the pleasurable and fleeting.
Esau failed this test and traded his birthright for a meal. The trade-off continues in our contemporary time.
Contemporary instruments intended for the demise of self-control
Things we have normalized are instruments masterfully orchestrated to erode our sense of self-control. We are bombarded with false narratives on social media to sway us into specific paradigms and thinking patterns. Following that, this world makes provision for perversion. Our autonomy is taken away by stealth as we are inundated with a constant flow of information and data. To a considerable degree, we catastrophically forego the ability to think according to the Word and maintain faith, a consequence of daily exposure to fear-mongering. This world teaches men about toxic masculinity. It trains them to act beside their God-given design, to exert a position of superiority over women, be promiscuous and misogynistic. Likewise, women are trained the defiled, ungodly way of feminism and conditioned to think that they can do whatever it is a man can do, if not better. They are tutored on misandry; the hatred of men, to disrespect and see them as undeserving of honor. Competition between genders is taught by this world and individuals easily acquiesce to the curriculum.
Social media is another instrument of destruction. Individuals are exposed to content that lowers attention span, breeds not only competition, discontent, unrealistic expectations, a false reality and insecurity but also doom scrolling. When one doom scrolls, they don’t realize that what is transpiring is that they are in a state of loss of self-control. They scroll uncontrollably, and it is as though the brakes of the car have ceased to function. Unbeknownst to them, that was the aim. Indeed, we are in a perennial state of conditioning by this world. It is quite effortless to get entangled in this when one lives life without discernment and vigilance.
The call for self-government and control
Paul says “I put my body under”. It is our responsibility to put our body under subjection so that nothing rules over us; no habit, practice, substance or demon should possess control over us. Emphatically, the Lord Himself does not control us, He calls us to submit and be led by Him. Submission is when a person can do something yet they yield to the desire of another. The Lord does not take away our agency or volition, He simply asks us to yield. It is a choice He does not take away.
The fruit of the Spirit
The Lord, through the fruit of the Spirit seeks to restore man’s inherent power. The fruit of the Spirit of self-control is much needed in this modern day where darkness is increasing and righteousness is becoming an obsolete practice. Self-control restores power and control to us. It is likened to granting someone keys. With self-control, we are equipped to withstand the prevailing pressures of this age, maintain our moral compass and remain pure. We are undeniably catapulted from a position of helplessness to one of empowerment. We cease to be enslaved and become like rulers.
The Lord through the fruit of self-control rebuilds the broken walls eroded by this world’s “delicacies”, our lack of diligence and failed vigilance.
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32
A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28