Reasoning about Self-Control to Rulers

Self-control is such a stand-out virtue that it belongs in evangelism to rulers.

Paul gave a defense before Felix the governor in Acts 24. Paul had been arrested, sent for his own protection from Claudius Lysias “to his Excellency the governor Felix,” and then after some days came with his wife, Drusilla, and “heard Paul speak about faith in Christ Jesus.”

What bullet points would you want to get into a governor’s ears? What talking points would cause a ruler to rethink?

“[Paul] reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed” (Acts 24:25)

Faith? check. In Christ Jesus? Of course. Righteousness? That is what we need before God or we die in our guilt. The coming judgment? There is no escape. All those fit with witness. But self-control?

This is not the same Greek word as is translated “self-control” in Titus 2:6, but they work in the same office; they share a cubicle. If there is a nuance of difference, the word in Titus 2:6 may press on the right mind and the word in Acts 24:25 may stress personal mastery. But again, they do the same work.

Self-control fits in between righteousness and coming judgment. It’s a key way righteousness is embodied, and the lack of it is a key part to the case against us.

If you don’t have self-control, you should be alarmed. As Christians, self-control isn’t merely a weakness, it is a sin and a broken door that lets in all sorts of other sins.