By Fr. Glenn Jones:

In an era dominated by instant gratification and endless distractions, ancient wisdom echoed by Johann von Goethe still rings true … maybe now more than ever: “A man who cannot command himself will always be a slave.” This profound truth is echoed in philosophical and religious traditions throughout the world; indeed, the very definition of the word religion is: “a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.” Essential within that phrase “held to with ardor” is constant self-control.

This striving toward self-command, therefore, finds roots in both Old and New Testament scriptures … not as mere personal virtue but even as a divine imperative, essential for true freedom. Without it, we are captive to our impulses, passions, and even external forces. Lacking that essential self-command can lead to a spiritual bondage, but the embrace of discipline liberates us to live good and, yes, even holy lives.

At its core, self-command—or self-control—is a hallmark of any good and godly living. St. Paul lists it among the fruits of the Spirit: “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) Here, self-control is not self-generated but is a gift of the divine, cultivated through surrender not to immediate and thoughtless impulse, but to common human grace working within. It involves reining in our desires, emotions, and actions to align with the good—with God’s will.

Conversely, scripture also warns how the peril of impulsiveness: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28). Similarly, a life without self-discipline invites chaos, allowing the demons of one’s particular temptations to overrun the soul, to possible ruin for self and those around them.

There are many scriptural examples. Esau, famished after hunting, impulsively surrenders the culturally treasured birthright for a simple bowl of stew, despising his inheritance for momentary satisfaction (Genesis 25:29-34); the author of the letter to the Hebrews labels him “godless,” highlighting how unchecked appetite led to lifelong regret and loss. (v. 12:16) Conversely, Joseph in Genesis 39 demonstrates triumphant self-command; an official’s wife repeatedly tempts him to adultery, but Joseph fled, declaring, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” His restraint would preserve his integrity and eventually position him for divine elevation from prison to Pharaoh’s court. David’s tragic lapse with Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 shows that a momentary failure in self-control, which spiraled into adultery, murder, and familial strife, proving that even one described as “a man after God’s own heart” can become enslaved to passion without constant vigilance.

The Bible repeatedly warns that failing to command oneself results in slavery. Romans 6:16 declares, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Sin—essentially anything against the good and harmful to self and/or others—is a tyrant demanding total allegiance. James 1:14-15 explains the process: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” What begins as a fleeting urge can escalate into habitual bondage if not checked.

Early Christian Fathers also emphasized self-control as essential for spiritual freedom. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, reflects on his struggle with lust, calling it, “The enemy held my will in his power and from it he had made a chain and shackled me.” Augustine’s recognition of his spiritual bondage underscores the slavery of an uncontrolled will; yet he would later find freedom through God’s grace, which empowered him toward self-mastery, eventually leading him to become one of the greatest bishops in the history of Christianity. Similarly, St. John Chrysostom asserted, “Nothing is so strong as the man who is able to govern himself; for he is stronger than armies and cities,” echoing Proverbs: “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city,” emphasizing that true strength lies in internal victory. (v. 16:32)

Fast forward to modern philosophical insight and we might find Immanuel Kant, in his Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, arguing that true freedom is achieved through rational self-governance: “Autonomy of the will is the property of the will by which it is a law to itself.” Kant sees that a person enslaved to passions lacks the rationality that defines human dignity. The Muslim philosopher al-Ghazali, too, wrote: “Desires make slaves out of kings and patience makes kings out of slaves.”

In modern parallels we see addictions to substances, pornography, sex, gambling, social media, etc. These are not mere habits but forms of enslavement, where the individual loses autonomy as in our Biblical slavery metaphor. The consequences of neglecting self-command extend beyond personal ruin to societal impact. A nation of undisciplined individuals breeds disorder, as seen in Judges, where “everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25), leading eventually to cycles of oppression. Unchecked greed fuels corruption, impulsive anger sparks violence, unrestrained power leads to abuse and injury.

Jesus Himself calls for internal mastery—controlling not just actions but even thoughts and motives. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) He warns that lustful glances equate to adultery in the heart, underscoring that true self-command begins inwardly. Elsewhere, St. Paul writes: “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 27) Like an athlete training for a prize, discipline is essential, Paul also assuring that God’s grace “… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12). Grace empowers each for self-restraint.

So, self-discipline is an essential truth and virtue, for without it we forfeit self-dominion, becoming pawns to fleeting desires. But through grace—denied to no one who seeks it—we access power to rule our spirits. By self-control we exchange slavery for sovereignty, and then increasingly become, as in W.E. Henley’s poem Invictus:

…the master of my fate,

…the captain of my soul.

 Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.