Self-Control and Humility

 

Self-control and humility twin well together.  Self-control stems from humility and of course, the Holy Spirit, since self-control is one of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit.

We can look at Nehemiah's life.  He was serving the king of Babyon as cupbearer.  He was also a captive from Jerusalem.  He could go nowhere, yet he believed his God was all powerful.

He exercised self-control when he heard from his brother that the great wall of Jerusalem, more specifically, of the inner sanctum area - the City of David - was still in ruins and the gates destroyed by fire.  The protection of the city was greatly lacking.

Nehemiah cried for days on end but he also prayed and waited.  He didn't rush in to the throne room of the king of Babylon, demanding to be let go and sent back to Jerusalem.  No.  He likely would have been killed instantly for such a breech.

Instead, he rushed to the throne room of Heaven, to the King of kings, who in turn, orchestrated it all.  We can make plans but the king's heart is in God's hand and he can turn whichever way He will (see Proverbs 16:9).

We also know,

"Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21 ESV).

Nehemiah knew this and had confidence in His God.  When King Artaxerxes then asked what was troubling Nehemiah, he was ready with his request even though he was afraid.  His great and awesome God did the rest.  Nehemiah got a leave of absence and the authority to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall.

Unfortunately, Nehemiah had enemies who hated the Jews and who did NOT want that wall rebuilt.  They tried to stop the progress at every turn.

Nehemiah did not say, "Hey!  King Artaxerxes sent me here to do this.  He gave me the authority to do it too.  You guys get lost!"  No.  Once again he exercised self-control and turned to God again and again.

He showed his dependance on God and that he walked humbly with Him.  He showed he believed God was in control so he could restrain himself from lashing out in anger.  He used self-control that stemmed from his humility.

Self-control, being one of the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, is imbedded in each believer, giving us the potential to develop it within our beings too.  It is part of our Christian standards and values in the Kingdom of God to which we belong.

It can keep us from becoming angry and hurting others.  It can stop us from overeating or undereating.  When we are tempted to do wrong, self-control will stop us if we listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting.  It will also stop us from becoming so proud we don't bother about threats from other people, except to prepare a protective defense if needed.  This is a benefit of humility working in our lives.

Let's be more like Nehemiah who, because of his humility, let self-control grow in his life.  God honored him, helping him and the other construction workers to build that wall around the City of David in just 52 days!  It was a miracle!

Father God, You are our great and awesome God.  You help us at every turn.  We are especially thankful that You sent us Jesus to provide our great salvation, and be a wall or protection around us.  Due to our acceptance of salvation we now have Your Holy Spirit.  In humbleness, we give Your Spirit free control to grow greater self-control in our respective lives.  We are such 'free will' people that we desparately need Your help with this lifelong request.  We ask in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                              ~ ERC  February 2025  ~

Based on Galatians 5:22-23 ESV and the book of Nehemiah.

Sing, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, along with the Maranatha Singers.