as it holds promise of the life now and that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8) In seeking recreation, the true Christian will not yield to imperfect inclinations of the fallen flesh, but will select types of entertainment or amusement that will have an upbuilding effect upon him. However, he will also use good judgment in not keeping late hours, which may injure his health and reduce his effectiveness in the ministry. So, off to bed he will go early Saturday night, for instance, so that he will be fresh and alert for ministerial activity on Sunday morning. Why dissipate energies foolishly in the pursuit of recreation, only to defeat its very purpose through a lack of self-control? Act wisely. Be moderate, exercising self-control in this aspect of life too.

26. Why is self-control worth all the work put into gaining and manifesting it?

²⁶ It is apparent, then, that, like the exquisite natural pearl, self-control is neither gained nor developed further without earnest effort. But it is worth all the work you put into gaining and manifesting it. Just consider its value and importance. By developing and displaying self-control in these last days, you will please Jehovah. And, by remaining faithful to him, you will be the happy recipient of his blessing now and in his promised new order. (2 Pet. 3:11-13) In fact, today, with so much to be done in praising Jehovah and preaching the good news of the Kingdom, self-control is vital to your Christian progress.

Self-Control Vital to Progress

“Supply to your faith . . . self-control.”​—2 Pet. 1:5, 6.

1, 2. (a) What kind of training was required of Greek athletes of ancient times? (b) What quality is particularly needed by both athletes and Christians, and how does Paul express this?

“DO YOU wish to gain the prize at the Olympic games?​—Consider the requisite preparations and the consequences: you must observe a strict regimen; must live on food which you dislike; you must abstain from all delicacies; must exercise yourself at the necessary and prescribed times both in heat and in cold; you must drink nothing cooling; take no wine as formerly; in a word, you must put yourself under the directions of a pugilist, as you would under those of a physician, and afterwards enter the lists. Here you may get your arm broken, your foot put out of joint, be obliged to swallow mouthfuls of dust, to receive many stripes, and after all be conquered.” That was the lot of the Greek athlete of ancient times, according to the Greek philosopher Epictetus. They had no easy time of it. Those athletes, such as runners, made strenuous efforts to gain fame and a corruptible crown. In the Olympian games it was fashioned from the wild olive; in the Pythian games, from laurel; in the Isthmian games, near Corinth, it was a pine wreath. Many were the rigors of the athlete’s life and, among other qualities, he surely needed self-control​—all this in what might well be a futile attempt to get personal glory and a perishable crown!

² The apostle Paul, in his first canonical letter to the Corinthian congregation, used the ancient games as an illustration and showed the Christian’s need for self-control. He likened followers of Christ to runners in a race, saying: “Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may attain it. Moreover, every man taking part in a contest exercises self-control in all things.” Obviously, Paul displayed self-control, for he went on to say: “Now they, of course, do it that they may get a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. Therefore, the way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air; but I browbeat my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27) Yes, Christians are like runners in a race, and a runner must discipline himself. He cannot be immoderate and erratic in habits and training. In his case self-control is vital for success.

3. With respect to self-control, why can Christians look heavenward?

³ Paul and the Corinthian believers to whom he wrote, men and women alike, were runners in a race that was much more important than any athletic contest. And for them success would mean, not a withering crown, but the “crown of life,” of which the apostle John wrote later, as recorded at Revelation 2:10. To obtain this grand prize, these Christians had to exercise self-control. And as they did so they could all afford to look heavenward. Why? Because Jehovah God, who gives his holy spirit to true Christians, furnishes the supreme example of self-control in action. “I kept exercising self-control,” Jehovah has declared through Isaiah. (Isa. 42:14) Of course, there Comes a time when God shows that he is mightier than his enemies, but never does he lose his perfect self-control. (Isa. 42:13) Jehovah’s principal attributes of love, power, justice and wisdom are always in absolute balance. (1 John 4:8, 16; Ps. 62:11; Deut. 32:4; Job 12:13) Humans, with finite minds, may not always understand divine dealings, but Jehovah is indeed the very Paragon of self-control.​—Dan. 4:34, 35; Isa. 55:8, 9.

4. Contrast persons who have Christian self-control with those who do not possess it.

⁴ But why place so much emphasis on self-control? Well, consider this: One lacking this quality may react unfavorably, undependably, under pressure. And persons have little confidence in the advice offered by an individual who is given to extremes. So, Christian ministers, “let your reasonableness become known to all men. The Lord is near.” A Christian whose reasonableness is known to all his acquaintances, one who lives “with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things,” will be viewed as mature, dependable, a person whose counsel, based on the sure Word of God, is worthy of credence. (Phil. 4:5; Titus 2:11, 12) Such a person with self-control can be entrusted with responsibility within the Christian congregation. On the other hand, the lack of sufficient self-control may pose problems and necessitate the giving of correction to the immoderate one. Therefore, it behooves any Christian to develop and display self-control.