“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
James 1:19
I am convinced by the word of God, and the experience of trust in putting it into practice, that one of the most effective keys to self-control is to… pause. To stop. To delay. Sloooooowwwww Dooooowwwnnnn. Be slow to speak. Be slow to anger. Slow down.
How does that help? With the specific passion of anger in this we see it is about “impulse”. And so much of a lack of self-control is exactly that: a lack of impulse control. That’s what we mean so oftentimes when we are talking about self-control. Impulse is “a sudden strong and unreflective urge or desire to act.” Our “lusts” are our “impulses” to act. To do something. Self-control is stopping. Pausing. Considering wisdom before action.Sloooooowwwwww Doooooowwwwnnnnn.
How does that work exactly? We often have triggers. Like the big bright red “Hot Now” sign at Krispy Kreme. We see that sign, we know there are fresh hot tender heavenly sugary donuts calling our name. The impulse is to pull in and grab a few. They are a delight to the eyes, they are a reward for me being so awesome, I deserve these, that sign is from God that these donuts were meant for me; these are all of the reasons (justifications) I can make to myself as I make the split second decision to exit the highway and get in the drive-thru line. The impulse first and then the reasons/justifications to act upon the impulse.
Self-control is the awareness to sloooooowwww doooooowwwwnnnn. To not follow my impulse and invent reasons to justify; but rather, to truly and honestly examine the choice before me. “Upon self-examining my BMI, I have determined I do not deserve these donuts”. “While they are a delight to the eyes, I will not be if I continue to pull in and order two dozen every time the light is on.” The devil on my left shoulder is telling me I need these and my cardiologist on my right shoulder is telling me I don’t. Slow down. Listen to the cardiologist.
Of course, I use the donuts illustration as an attempt at a humorous analogy (although, very practical as well). When it comes to sinful passions, we need to recognize when the impulse is rushing me headlong into sin, and we need to stop. We need to stop. We need to think. Not rationalize justifications for sin, but reason with ourselves from the wisdom of God why we need to flee the temptation/impulse before us. This is self-control.
In James 1:19 it is anger. In your life, it might be substance abuse. Or it might be pornography, or infidelity, or fornication of some sort. It might be greed or materialism. Stop. Pause. Sloooww dooooowwwnnn. Think about what you are doing. Think about the consequences. Let the wisdom of God talk you out of following the sinful impulse.
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