HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

4. Self-controlled

By self-controlled, I do not mean prim and proper and unemotional, but rather a master of our drives. If we are to lead others toward God we cannot be led ourselves toward the world. According to Galatians 5:23 self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It is not mere willpower. It is appropriating the power of God to get mastery over our emotions and our appetites that could lead us astray or cause us to occupy our time with fruitless endeavours.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul says, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

The Christian leader must ruthlessly examine his life to see whether he is the least enslaved by television, alcohol, coffee, golf, computer games, fishing, Playboy, masturbation, good food.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians. 9:25, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

And he says in Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”

Spiritual leaders ruthlessly track down bad habits and break them by the power of the Spirit.

They hear and follow Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

Spiritual leaders long to be free from everything that hinders their fullest delight in God and service of others.