The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Elizabeth D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Self-Government
"A little kingdom I possess, where thoughts and feelings dwell. And very hard the task I find of governing it well." This quote by Louisa May Alcott tells us just how difficult self control/self government is.
Self government/control means to control oneself by oneself, to practice self restraint. With self control being a fruit of the Spirit, we who are Christians should be the ones exemplifying this. (Galations5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.")
Self-control has to be the hardest of the fruits that need producing. Some areas common of lacking self-control are eating habits and spending money. Last but definitely not least is the area of our tongues, which, as we will see from the Bible, is nearly impossible. With eating habits one can exercise self-control by purchasing healthier food, and with money you can pay debts and simply not spend as much. With the tongue, however, once it’s out of the mouth it can’t be taken it back, even though thankfully one can apologize! James 3:8 says "no man can tame the tongue….full of deadly poison." Proverbs 12:18-19 adds, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." Another area that we are to exercise self government/control over is our very thoughts and actions. 2 Cor. 10:5 tells us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Matt. 11:19 says "wisdom is proved right by her actions." Gal. 6:4 goes even further, telling us that "each one should test his own actions."
Miss Alcott's quote shows how hopeless it is to keep our self-control without Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. But thankfully there is hope that we can have self-control, as we know from Phil. 4:13, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." No matter how difficult it is, I want to give Christ glory through my actions. As someone once said, "For by your actions, they shall know you".
