S is for Self-control

 

I've been thinking a lot about this one. We live in a world where the scientific dogma says you are a sum of your parts, determined by your genetics (known as biological determinism to some, genetic determinism to others). That you are controlled by these outside forces that dictate your appetites, likes, and even needs. And thus people begin to assume that it is ok to give into such desires, appetites and so-called needs as they are "natural". In fact, they sell the viewpoint of giving in to your appetites as freeing. This is complete and total garbage. And why? Because this is this is counter to the belief that human beings have free will and are able to choose their futures.

You see, free will means you are in control of yourself. But the world philosophy says restraining your appetites is repression and oppression. Today, the world preaches letting go, letting loose, and claiming it is all good.

But this ignores the laws of physics which says: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Or more plainly, everything has...dun, dun, dun....

Consequences!!!!

"Aaaagh! Evil word! Don't say consequences!"

But really, our modern world hates to think about the consequences while "living for today."

Oddly enough, this modern way of thinking was addressed in a letter written by Peter to the followers of Jesus Christ of his day. (We only have a few of his letters, as time and biodegradation have destroyed all the rest. But this is what he said [in old King James English]):

^" For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 

 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
 2 Peter 2:18-19 King James Version (KJV)

In modern English he basically says the "lusts of the flesh" are promised to be liberating, yet are in fact not liberating at all, but enslaving.

Don't believe it? Ok. let's go through this logically then.

By giving into appetites, not using self-restraint, scientifically, we know that it can lead to obesity and physical abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, as well as unhealthy obsessions such as porn-watching and pedophilia.

Still don't think I'm right? Still think it is ok to do whatever because you just feel like it?

Fine. I like to use extreme examples, so here we go.

The best way to explain why self-control is a virtue is by imagining a world where self-control does NOT exist.

Rudeness will be the language from thereon. As it is NATURAL not to hold back snarky remarks. It takes self-restraint to bite one's tongue. Or fear. If it is fear, then language will be ruled by fear thereon. . . rather than by wisdom and tact.

There will be lots of car crashes, as taking turns requires patience...which requires self-restraint. Because it is NATURAL to just go when you see a gap. This is how they drive in China, by the way.

People will drink and drive... as who is to stop them? And more people will die on the road.

Stealing will be rampant, because it is NATURAL for us to want something and just take it.

Rape will be rampant, for EXACTLY the same reason. As with porn-watching becoming common place, women will be seen as objects and not people. Which means the quality of life for women will decrease. . . not increase.

Murder will be rampant, because anger is a NATURAL response to something that offends us and violence is a NATURAL reaction in the fight or flight response.

Cheating will be rampant, as well as lying - because it is NATURAL to want to protect yourself from any incriminating harm. But it also means you won't be able to trust ANYONE because NO ONE will be honest.

People will be either extremely FAT because there will be no self-restraint to hold them back. Or they will be obsessively exercising for the adrenalin they get from it. In fact, obsessions will increase because many things in our lives require us to say "I'm done. No more."

Children will not live long or well, as only a few people will want to take care of a screaming baby because that requires self-control and self-sacrifice. And those that want the kids, well, kidnapping will also rear its ugly head...because if you want it, you're just gonna take it, right?

Physical abuse in families will increase without self-restraint. So will incest and childhood pregnancy. A sad fact.

Almost no one will get married because...hey, it is a ceremony which some people like to call a social construct, and has strong religious roots. In fact, I always found it weird that homosexuals wanted to get married while heterosexuals seem to be running from it. And animals just don't get married, now do they? So, what is the point? As it set us up the situation for infidelity... more cheating, and lots of economic strain. In a world that lacks self-control, you'd have multiple partners, right?

Oh, and that would lead to widespread venereal disease, because, hey, that's how it is transferred. And more people would suffer and die from it.

Abortions will come to a full high, and births will drop to an all new low - as it is natural to be selfish, and only think about ones own life rather than the lives of others. I knew a cat that ate all of her kittens because she was jealous of the attention they got from other people. Ick, I know. You see, this explained dumpster baby mentality.

Education will go out the window, as very few on this planet NATURALLY likes studying. It is a learned trait that requires self-control. In fact, education will be seen like this:

Not much work will get done, as it is NATURAL to want to play all day.

So nothing will get made. No food will be grown, as agriculture requires work, work, work. The world would go back to the wild - as being wild is the opposite of self-control. 

We basically will end up living like the society in the Mad Max movies. Where things have lost their significance and we are back at square one - the life of the hunter-gatherer.

Congratulations! The loss of self-control will bring about the apocalypse (or poxy-clips as they call it). ;)

On a tangent...

Did you know that hunter-gatherer societies are in fact the laziest of societies? It isn't that they are less intelligent, but their work and play are the same, practically. Sounds ideal right? But they leave behind no legacy except the next generation they give birth to. They may have an oral history, but such societies don't create a written history even if they are able to.

Now a lot of environmentalists think this is a great idea, actually. Lots of anthropologists academically praise this kind of living, and even food fads praise it as 'paleo-living'. But this kind of society does not produce a William Shakespeare either. Or a Mozart. Or a Michelangelo. Or a Gustave Eiffel. Or a Howard Hughes. And no Stephen Hawking either. Because civilization requires doing more than what is NATURAL. And the Sistine Chapel is not a natural formation. Neither are airplanes, or doing quantum physics at a computer.

Self-control is a choice. It is a choice to transcend what is natural and choose what is better. It is the difference between iron ore and refined steel. Steel is not a natural formation, but is purposely and meaningfully forged. The refinement of metals is likewise purposeful, requiring lots of heat and the throwing off of dross. Tempered steel is so much better than natural iron. Making swords transforms that steel into an elegant tool of defense, or offense...depending on your choice. The ability to use swords correctly is also something that requires self-control. In fact, most talents are results of practice and self-control. Even geniuses practiced.

Ok, enough extremity. I think in real life we all recognize the need for self-control. No one sane would actually lose all self-restraint. People like that end up in prisons or lunatic asylums for a reason. And the reason is that no one actually wants to live with such kind of people. Because such a life is counter to civilization. What makes us civilized is self-control.

Now the positives about why self-control is a virtue. By avoiding all the garbage above our lives are a great deal better. You are driving the car. The car is not driving you. This is good, especially if you are driving along the edge of a cliff or on a raceway. It creates peace.

Why is it a Godly trait?

This part makes me laugh because when growing up we learned about the insane Greek gods and all the shenegans they got into. Honestly. In comparison, the Christian God is so mild. Sit down and read the Percy Jackson series if you don't believe me (Read them anyway. They're great fun).

Heavenly Father is the epitome of self-restraint. Most people who don't know Him see Him as a vengeful God. But they don't know Him. Those that take the time to know God learn about His never-ending patience and long suffering.

Think about it. With a large portion of the population taking His name in vain on a daily basis - it would take a lot of self-control not to punish every last one of them.

S is for Self-control.