In the previous post I noted that we must answer three questions about the self-control which Peter says must be supplied into knowledge in 2 Peter 1:5-7. We already answered the first: Why must knowledge be supplied with self-control? Here I take up the second question.
II. What is the self-control with which knowledge must be supplied?
A. Its Identity (What is it?)
Self-control has to do with self mastery or exercising dominion over oneself. This root is used eight times in the Bible: six times in NT and twice in the Greek OT called the LXX. The lexical or dictionary definition is very brief: “self-control, esp. in matters related to sex.” I think this definition is correct, but please do not hyper-focus on the reference to sex. As we will see, there are other important forms of self-control.
B. Its Necessity (Is it essential?)
2 Peter 1:6 makes perfectly clear that self-control is a necessary ingredient for growth in grace. As such it is clear that the Christian life requires self-control. Two other passages which use the very word used in 2 Peter 1:6 confirm that the Christian faith absolutely requires self-control.
Self-control is an absolute requirement of the Christian faith. Paul so presses the need of self-control to Felix that in an evangelistic encounter the Roman governor was terrified. As such it may be used to show men their need of Christ. (Self-control can be preached by way of the first use of the law.)
Acts 24:25 And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you.”
Self-control is also absolutely required as an actual development in the Christian life. It is the last of the nine fruits of the Spirit. It must be preached as the actual rule of life for Christians. (Self-control must be preached by way of the third use of the law.)
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now before we go on to consider the varieties of self-control which we need, a couple of practical matters call for our attention.
First, I want to make clear that the Bible does not condemn food, drink, or sex. These things are wonderful gifts that are to be enjoyed. There is a biblical doctrine of feasting or partying. Christians are told to enjoy life with the wife of their youth. It is not whether we allowed to enjoy such things—it is how! Self-control is not asceticism.
Second, we learn that a Christianity that makes self-control unnecessary is a false Christianity. True Christianity condemns men for a lack of self-control and provides it to them in the gospel of Christ. God condemns men for a lack of self-control. As we saw, in evangelizing Felix Paul spoke with him about this matter.
Someone may be reading this who knows that God is going to judge them for their lack of self-control. Your sexual desires are out of control. Your desires for food or alcohol are out of control. Your emotions are out of control. Your desire for money is out of control. You have illegal or unhealthy addictions that master and enslave you. Your emotions are out of control and lead you to say and do things that are really cruel and hurtful. These untamed desires show that you need a refuge from the wrath of God. You need Christ. In saving men God gives them the Spirit whose fruit is self-control (Gal. 5:22-25). If you want a Christianity in which you do not have to beat your body under, you are looking for a Christianity that does not exist. It is a Christianity, however, that false teachers will be only too glad to sell you.
C. Its Variety
When we look at this root and how it is used in the Bible, three important varieties or dimensions of self-control are underscored. The Bible calls for emotional, sexual, and physical self-control. Thus, three varieties of self-control are commended in the Bible.
(1) Emotional Self-control (Gen. 43:31 with Gen. 45:1 and 1 Sam. 13:12; Tit. 1:7, 8)
Look first at Titus 1:7-8 in this light.
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.”
It seems clear to me, and I hope it does to you, that self-control here is contrasted with not being “self-willed, quick-tempered, and pugnacious.” Self-control calls for emotional self-control.
This becomes abundantly clear in the key Old Testament use of this passage found in Genesis 43:31: “Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, ‘Serve the meal.’” This is the account of Joseph who when seeing Benjamin his own mother’s son after so many years felt overcome with emotion. But apparently Joseph felt it would be unwise to reveal his identity to his estranged brothers by giving way to the emotions he felt in front of them. He apparently wanted to test them and see if the same evil attitudes still controlled them as when they sold him into slavery. Notice Genesis 43:29-30:
29 As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there.
Later Joseph ascertained that his brothers’ attitudes were entirely different. Then he felt free to give way to displaying his emotions to his brothers. Look at Genesis 45:1. The same Greek word is not used. The original Hebrew word used is, however, the same as that used in Gen. 43:1.
Genesis 45:1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried, “Have everyone go out from me.” So there was no man with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard of it. 3 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.
What emotions did he feel and master the outward display of? No doubt he felt the emotions of gladness, grief, sadness, and perhaps even some anger all mixed up together. Yet he mastered the outward display of them all until the time was right to let them out.
(2) Sexual Self-control (1 Cor. 7:9)
The necessity restraining one’s sexual appetites or channeling them in a godly fashion is an important part of self-control. As I mentioned, this is such a prominent part of the meaning of the word that one lexicon defines it as “self-control, esp. in matters related to sex.”
Perhaps the clearest text on this issue is 1 Corinthians 7:9. “But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Perhaps the best comment on this text comes in the Larger Catechism’s answer to Q. 139. It asks: What are the sins forbidden in the seventh commandment? A. The sins forbidden in the seventh commandment … are, adultery, fornication, rape, incest, sodomy, and all unnatural lusts … undue delay of marriage …
This is clearly in view in 2 Peter. Peter must, when he calls for self-control, have in mind sexual self-control, because of what he says later about the false teachers. 2 Peter 2:2 and 18 use the Greek word for sensuality. This word is defined:
as living without any moral restraint licentiousness, sensuality, lustful indulgence (2C 12.21); esp. as indecent and outrageous sexual behavior debauchery, indecency, flagrant immorality (RO 13.13).
It is also used in 1 Peter 4:3 and Jude 1:4.
1 Pet 4:3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
Jude 1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:13-14 also describes the false teachers lack of self-control. To sexual lusts is here added lust for money. Their lack of self-control is manifested in greed and eyes full of adultery. This is associated with a partying lifestyle. The words used here describes feasting, indulgence, and luxury of every kind being indulged all the time even during the day. When people should be giving themselves to useful labors, they are partying instead.
(3) Physical Self-control (1 Cor. 9:25; Tit. 1:7-8, 12)
When Paul says that elders must be self-controlled in Titus 1:7-8, it seems to include restraining one’s appetites for food and alcohol.
7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.”
Later in the same context (Titus 1:12) Paul appears to contrast self-controlled elders with lazy Cretans. Verse 12 comments: “One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.””
But the key passage on this variety of self-control is 1 Corinthians 9:25: “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Everyone knows that an athlete must eat right, refrain from over-indulgence, and generally discipline his body and deny its desires if he is going to succeed. The self-control required by the athlete involves a general mastery of his body. It involves the ability to subjugate the body when it cries out for rest, ease, and pampering so that it becomes by such discipline the athletic machine it must be in order to win the prize. Such self-control Paul says is necessary for the Christian. Thus, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Interim Conclusion on Self-control:
This study of self-control makes a number of areas where self-control is needed very clear. Growth in grace requires growth in self-control of the flesh. The restraining of the lawless and excessive indulgence of the flesh is necessary. Sexual desires, bodily desires for food and drink, for ease, luxury, and partying must be restrained. The lawless and excessive indulgence of the spirit is also included. This means emotional self-control. This also means financial self-control. The desire for money and emotional displays must be mastered and restrained. There is no growth in grace where there is not the exercise of self-control in these things.
I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” I am also reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:12: “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Most of us have those issues in which we battle not to be mastered by anything. In the language of 1 Corinthians 7:1 of it may be a defilement of the flesh, or it may be a defilement of the spirit. But both in the realm of the spirit and of the flesh, we have need of self-control. May I encourage you if you have grown weary in the battle with some defilement of the flesh or spirit, to go to war again in that battlefront of your spiritual life. There is no substitute for self-control, and you will not get to heaven without it.
But here we all face our terrible sense of weakness and inability, do we not? We know we need self-control. We want to be self-controlled. But how can we be self-controlled? That is the question. Christians need help here. In my next blog post I will take up this crucial, third question.
Dr. Sam Waldron is the Academic Dean of CBTS and professor of Systematic Theology. He is also one of the pastors of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, KY. Dr. Waldron received a B.A. from Cornerstone University, an M.Div. from Trinity Ministerial Academy, a Th.M. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1977 to 2001 he was a pastor of the Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Waldron is the author of numerous books including A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, The End Times Made Simple, Baptist Roots in America, To Be Continued?, and MacArthur’s Millennial Manifesto: A Friendly Response.
