“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust”(James 1:14). Self-control is the gatekeeper of the safe-haven of the human spirit. Eve was not led astray by Satan. He merely suggested that God was not good or just. Because Eve would not control her own desires for pleasure, knowledge and power, she “took and ate.” And, Adam, too, would not control his lust. So sin was born to mankind and in its maturity became death. But, there came a “Second Adam,” Jesus Christ, “who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) And God “made Him, who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2Corithians 5:21)

The greatest struggle we will face, the greatest tribulation in this world, is the struggle between spirit and flesh. Are we left to wrestle on our own? No! God in his goodness and righteousness has given us His might through Jesus Christ to be “more than conquerors.” Our Faithful God will not let us, His children, “be tempted beyond what we are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that we may be able to endure it.” (1Corinthians 10:13)

The fruit of self-control in the Christian’s life is like a guiding light to the lost and dying soul, showing the way to the refuge of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord. Is your light shining or has lust overshadowed it? Think about it.