The Mastery of Life Part 7
The Goal of Self-Control: Becoming Complete in Christ
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” — Matthew 19:21
Self-control is not about restraining desires or following rigid rules—it is about aligning our hearts and motives with God’s purpose. Jesus’ command to “be perfect” (Greek: teleios) (Matthew 5:48) is not a call to live a perfect rule-keeping life—which is unattainable—but to pursue the ultimate goal: God Himself.
The word teleios reflects maturity, wholeness, and alignment with God’s kingdom. It is about becoming the kind of person God wants us to be. In today’s key verse, the rich young ruler wasn’t lacking in rule-following—he had kept the commandments—but his motives revealed where his heart truly lay. Jesus invited him to give up his possessions, not because wealth is bad, but because it was a barrier to becoming complete (teleios). The man’s attachment to his wealth hindered him from becoming the person God intended him to be.
Self-control, when understood through the lens of teleios, is not about suppressing desires for the sake of appearing virtuous. Instead, it is about cultivating a posture of surrender to God’s purposes. Our motives must be centered on God Himself as the ultimate goal—not personal achievement or recognition from others.
When Jesus calls us to “be perfect,” He is calling us to be whole, to live with undivided hearts. Self-control plays a vital role in this process. It is the discipline that helps us let go of distractions, idols, and selfish ambitions so we can fully embrace God’s kingdom. Like the rich young ruler, we need to ask ourselves: What am I holding onto that keeps me from being complete in Christ?
When our motives are rightly aligned, self-control becomes a joyful response to His grace. We no longer see it as a burden but as a means of becoming the people God wants us to be: complete.
Tips: Utilize your phone or fitness watch to monitor your steps, movement, and activity levels throughout the day. These tools can remind you to stay active and set achievable goals.
Prayer: Abba father, I surrender my heart and motives to you.. Help me let go of anything that hinders me from becoming the person You want me to be. Give me an undivided heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
