The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Katie P. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Self Government
Self government or self control seems to be a dying notion. It seems like people in our world today don’t even recognize the concept. People seem to run mainly off of instinct these days. Whatever they feel like doing, they do. No thought to the people they hurt or the mess they make.
The idea of self control is one of thinking before you act. Having control over everything you do and say, and not doing things that may bring harm or hurt to another. It's something that seems like it should be basic knowledge, common sense. But why do so many people lack it?
Self control was something that was always drilled into my brain as a child. And when you are taught something so vastly it rarely leaves you. Of course, I am not perfect. Self control is something that I have always struggled with. I am the kind of person who likes to say what's on their mind, especially when it’s something that makes me angry or annoyed. I have a hard time keeping my pet peeves to myself, even though I should. But although it is a struggle, I am still working on it. I'm only human and all that can be expected of me is to do my best.
But it's all too often that I meet people who do exactly the opposite. They don't even try. As a teenager, I see a lot of all this "feel good" stuff. "Do whatever makes you happy." People do what they want and say what they want without the slightest thought for what other people might think or feel. But since everything goes now, they don’t care.
God is so serious about self control, that James says that a man’s religion is worthless unless he puts a rein on his tongue. (James 1:26) The entire first twelve verses of James 3 are devoted to how the tongue is "Fire." The tongue is a small part of the body, but it can do great harm if not kept in check.
Self control is crucial because we are God's light to the world. If we can’t keep our words and actions under control, how are people supposed to see the love of God? We are supposed to set an example for the world. We are supposed to shine the light of Christ into the darkness. We can’t do that unless we can control ourselves. In a world where self government is "optional" we can stand out all the more by showing the ability to manage ourselves.
