The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Jonathan M. during the 2009-2010 League.

Mission: Research on Self-Government

In this world today there is very little self-government practiced in people's lives. Our modern society portrays limits and restraints as something to be avoided at all costs. This of course is in direct contradiction to the principles taught in the Bible.

Proverbs 25:28 - "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls."

If we cannot control the things we say and do we are defenseless. Obviously this is impossible on our own.

Here is an interesting definition for self-control I found: "Self-control means to be in control of one's attitudes or thought processes, desires or passions, and patterns or habits so they do not dictate one's behavior." Keeping our old nature from controlling our lives is one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life.

Galatians 5:22 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

As Christians, we all need to show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We know that God never gives us commands we cannot accomplish. If we rely on God to help us, our actions can all be controlled and we will live a Godly life.

Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."

Matthew 12:34 - "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."

If we don't practice self-government over our thoughts, it will show through our actions and words. What goes in will come out.

We are commanded in Scripture to "overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21) We cannot just take out our wrong thoughts; we must put Godly ones in their place. A Christian can only have self-control by yielding his will to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:6 - "and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness."

Self-government is one of the essential virtues of the Christian faith and should be highly sought after in all of our lives.