Dr. Richard Franz: Self Control – Don’t Give it Away
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These summaries are written to give our audience an idea of the special forum messages our students have access to as part of the Living Education-Charlotte program.
Dr. Richard Franz, a pastor serving in the Midwest, took the time to address the Living Education-Charlotte students in a recent forum.
Choices We Make
Dr. Franz began by highlighting the importance of choices in our lives. It is very easy for choices we make repeatedly to become habits. That’s why it’s important for us to ensure we are choosing what God would want us to choose. One major mark of our conversion is the degree to which we are able to make informed decisions based on what God would choose. Furthermore, it’s important to realize the impact our choices have on others. What will be the legacy of your choices?
Importance of Self Control
Proverbs 4:26 states: “Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” This is an important reminder to be mindful of the choices we make in life. Having the discipline to make right, wise, and godly choices involves a great deal of self control.
Dr. Franz pointed out that it is the discipline of self control that enables us to benefit from God’s—and others’—wisdom, instruction, and correction. While we may want to do the right thing, it sometimes comes at the cost of other things we may want. It’s easy to hold on to our human nature, get angry, become depressed, or try to justify ourselves. It can be especially hard when others seem to be actively working against us. Even when it’s unintentional, it’s easy for us to let go of our self control and become reactive to the things people do and say—but a strong sense of self control helps us gain a handle on those impulses and make the right choices.
Choose Right
Dr. Franz pointed out the example in John 5:6 where Jesus asked a paralytic an important question: “Do you want to be made well?” So much hinges on our desire and willingness to put aside our human nature and choose to do the right thing. It involves the discipline, integrity, and self control to guard our hearts with all diligence, and strive to do the godly thing in spite of everything else.
Dr. Franz encouraged the students to reject ungodly attitudes, and to always choose right, choose to forgive, choose to give the benefit of the doubt, and to choose to live with purpose and direction. We can choose to have an internal battle, or we can choose to live proactively with the help of God’s Spirit, maintaining self control and developing strong character every day.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
