February 9, 2026 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John (2SoJ)
Part 2: From blog, Corner Stone Christian Fellowship
Timothy writes:
What Early Christians Knew About-Self-Control that We’ve Forgotten
1. True Control Begins with Letting Go
| While we instinctively think of self-control as tightening our grip—on our schedules, our desires, our ambitions—the early Christians taught that it begins with letting go. The source of their unshakeable resolve was a conscious decision to release their attachment to worldly reputation, possessions, and even the fear of death itself. |
| Consider the story of St. Felix of Nola. After his property was confiscated by the authorities, he was advised to reclaim it. His response was classic in this inverted logic: “in poverty he should be the more secure of possessing Christ.” He understood that by relinquishing what could be taken from him, he gained a spiritual security that was untouchable. This was the core belief of the early martyrs, who saw the ultimate freedom not in preserving their lives, but in their choice to face persecution rather than renounce their faith. The 3rd-century theologian Tertullian articulated this ultimate self-possession in the face of absolute external power: |
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| Because this was translated many years ago into English, it is hard to understand, here is the gist of what he is saying: |
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| If we adopt this mentality, it becomes a profound realignment of one’s identity and core values. By detaching one’s core identity from things that can be stripped away—status, wealth, physical comfort, life itself—a person becomes inwardly unconquerable. This principle of radical surrender is not merely a historical relic of a persecuted age, it is a practical psychological strategy for building resilience against modern anxieties. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and resilience training, and even the Stoic principles, have roots in these Christian ideas. In an era where our self-worth is so often tethered to career outcomes, social reputation, and online validation, the martyrs’ detachment offers a path to freedom. To become inwardly unconquerable is to find an antidote to a world that constantly seeks to conquer our attention and sense of self. |
| The world tells us that self-control is about mustering our own will, yet the early believers understood it as a fruit of the Spirit, birthed from giving up our rights and striving. |
· The Paradox of Surrender: True freedom comes when we choose to relinquish the desire to control our own lives and commit our will to Christ. This is the great exchange: letting go of our own strength to receive His power.
o “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
o “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” — Romans 12:1
· Self-Control as a Fruit: The discipline we seek is not a self-generated quality but an overflow of the Spirit’s presence once we surrender the steering wheel.
o “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22-23
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What would Jesus want me to do?
Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com
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