Biblical Answer

The Bible teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As followers of Jesus, we are called to live a life that honors God and reflects His values. However, this doesn't mean we always have control over our bodies. We may struggle with sinful desires, emotions, and impulses that seem to be beyond our control. But here's the thing: we are not in control, but we can choose to give Jesus control over our lives. When we surrender to Him, He gives us the power to live a life of self-control, even when our bodies are out of control.

Self-control is not about trying to be perfect or achieving some sort of moral superiority. It's about recognizing that we are not in control and choosing to give Jesus control over our lives. When we do this, we open ourselves up to the possibility of living a life of joy and freedom, even in the midst of struggles and temptations. As John Ortberg says, "If we do this, a whole new level of joy becomes available." So, how can we give Jesus control over our lives? We can start by intentionally designing our lives to give Him free rein over our formation. This means being intentional about our spiritual practices, such as prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking community with other believers.

When we give Jesus control over our lives, we can experience a level of self-control that goes beyond our own abilities. This is not about trying to control our sinful desires, but about surrendering to God's power and guidance. As the Bible says, "We are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14). When we live under the grace of God, we are free to live a life of self-control, even when our bodies are out of control. So, let's choose to give Jesus control over our lives and experience the joy and freedom that comes from living a life surrendered to Him.