Self-control, never a lively virtue, seems in danger of death in American culture. Proverbs 25:28 says: " A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls."
Self-control is sacrified to satisfy whims whipped up by advertising meant only to make money. Few advertisers care for our best interests. Fast food is the obvious example. Burger King has recently introduced their Quad Stacker, a sandwich sans lettuce, tomato, pickle or onion, but including four 2.5 oz. beef patties with cheese and several strips of bacon. It has 1,000 calories, 68 grams of fat and 30 grams of saturated fat. Hardee’s Monster Thickburger, however, tops even that, at 1410 calories with its 45 gram load of saturated fat. Burger King spokeswoman Adrienne Hayes says, "We’re just offering people an alternative." So when you feel like indulging there’s something for you." And she adds, with a straight face, "of course everything in moderation." *
Should an alternative like that be encouraged? Some decry a "nanny state," resisting any curbs on their freedom to self-destruct. Others wish for some limits, perhaps to help their own self-control. Though I’m not particularly tempted by big burgers, I am tempted when I am in the presence of cookies, pies, or warm artichoke dip. Perhaps you, like me, are also temped to waste time on the internet, enjoying interesting information that isn’t relevant to our current purposes. The proliferation of weekend festivals temps me to exhaust myself in the pursuit of good times. The temptations to distract ourselves from what is good for us are ever-present, whether with food or activities. We must encourage ourselves toward self-control.
The imagery of broken-down walls has helped me see the danger of letting myself eat what I want when I want it or do what I want without thoughtfulness. Self-control is self-protection.
Jesus, you are the model and your Spirit is the power, of self-control. Please convict us and equip us to seek what is best.
* http://www.komo1000news.com/consumertip/story.asp?ID=44293