Self-Control - Freedom from Within: The Spirit's Gift of Self-Control

Kate DeMello
May 9
4 min read

Self-control often feels like a battle we're constantly losing. We try to resist temptation, to manage our emotions, to discipline our lives, but we often find ourselves failing. The self-control of Galatians 5:22, egkrateia, is not about white-knuckling it; it's about freedom, a freedom that comes from the Holy Spirit's power within us.

The Depths of ***Egkrateia*: Mastery Through Surrender**

Egkrateia is not about repression or self-denial; it's about mastery. It's the ability to govern our desires, our emotions, and our actions, not through sheer willpower, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's about aligning our lives with God's will, not out of obligation, but out of love and a desire to please Him. It's a freedom from the tyranny of our impulses and a freedom to live in accordance with God's design.

The Counterfeits: The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency

We often try to achieve self-control in ways that are ultimately self-defeating, because they are based on the lie that we can do it ourselves:

The Legalist: We focus on external rules and regulations, trying to control our behavior through strict adherence to a code. But this often leads to pride, judgment, and a lack of joy. We become slaves to the rules, rather than free in Christ.
The White-Knuckler: We try to resist temptation through sheer willpower. We grit our teeth and "try harder," but this often leads to exhaustion and failure. We're like someone trying to hold back a flood with their bare hands.
The Perfectionist: We set impossibly high standards for ourselves, striving for flawless self-control. When we inevitably fail, we become discouraged and self-critical. This is not self-control; it's self-condemnation.
The Avoider: We try to achieve self-control by avoiding tempting situations altogether. We isolate ourselves, restrict our lives, and become fearful of anything that might challenge our control. This is not freedom; it's a prison of our own making.
The Rationalizer: We justify our lack of self-control by making excuses, blaming circumstances, or minimizing the consequences of our actions. This self-deception prevents us from taking responsibility and seeking the Spirit's help.
The Mood Follower: Our level of discipline is dependent on how we are feeling that day.

The Spirit's Work: The Liberator of Our Will

The Holy Spirit is the source of true self-control. He doesn't just "help" us to be self-controlled; He empowers us to be self-controlled, freeing us from the bondage of sin and enabling us to live in accordance with God's will:

Renewing Our Minds: The Spirit transforms our thinking (Romans 12:2), helping us to see temptation for what it is – a lie that promises satisfaction but delivers only emptiness. He aligns our desires with God's desires.
Giving Us a New Heart: The Spirit replaces our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), making us want to obey God. He changes our desires, so that we no longer crave what is harmful and destructive.
Empowering Us to Resist: The Spirit gives us the strength to resist temptation, not in our own power, but in His. He is our Helper, our Advocate, our Strength.
Producing Fruit: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, a natural outgrowth of His presence in our lives. It's not something we achieve; it's something He produces in us as we abide in Him.
Interceding on our Behalf: The Holy Spirit works in our core being, which is where true self-control can come from.

Practices for Cultivating Self-Control (Cooperating with the Spirit):

These are not steps to achieve self-control; they are ways to cooperate with the Spirit's work, to position ourselves to receive the freedom He offers:

Prayer: Don't pray for self-control as an abstract virtue. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you, to renew your mind, to give you a new heart, to empower you to resist temptation in specific areas.
Scripture Meditation: Immerse yourself in passages that speak of God's power, our new identity in Christ, and the freedom we have in Him (Romans 6, Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17), allowing the Spirit to transform your understanding of self-control.
Confession: Confess your lack of self-control, your attempts to "do it yourself," your reliance on willpower. Acknowledge your dependence on the Spirit's power.
Surrender: Release your desire to control your life, your need to be perfect, your fear of failure. Trust that the Spirit will guide you and empower you to live in freedom.
Small Steps (Spirit-Empowered): Start with small areas where you struggle with self-control. Rely on the Spirit's power to resist temptation, to make wise choices, and to cultivate new habits.
Accountability: Find a trusted friend or mentor who can help you.

Self-control is not about repression; it's about liberation. It's about being freed from the tyranny of our impulses and empowered to live in accordance with God's will, a freedom we can only experience through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's a fruit of the Spirit, a gift that grows as we abide in Christ and allow Him to reign in our lives.