On Self-Control, a Most Needful Attribute of Your Christian Character

We have a love-hate relationship with self-control. We admire it, want it, understand its value. We hate that it makes us wait, causes us to restrain our lusts and passions, and puts others first.

Self-control is a spiritual gift that must be cultivated; self-control is a discipline which must be learned and practiced. Here is what I wrote in my counsel to fathers, "What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons":

"Be Self-controlled. It's instructive that Titus was advised to mentor young men to develop self-control. (Titus 2:6) Self-control is not in-born. It is a spiritual gift (Galatians 5:23) but must be cultivated. Every son has to learn self-control - of his body and his mouth. Some of this is modeled, and some can be explained, but in the end all self-control is learned through practice and corrective feedback. Men master themselves in order to achieve greater purposes. Exercising self-control quashes selfishness.

Everyone reading this has opportunities to practice leadership, in smaller and greater roles. Leaders take responsibility for results -- and this won't happen without self-control. Why? Because leading others demands self-leadership, perhaps the most difficult form of leadership.

Two quotes to ponder in light of the tremendous need for self-control:

"There are a thousand excuses for failure but never a good reason." (Mark Twain)

"Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anyone else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself and lenient to everyone else." (Henry Ward Beecher)