The Benefits of the Virtuous Life Rooted in Self-Control

The Bible is full of simple wisdoms. Some see these wisdoms as “rules” and consider them antiquated, even foolish and often choose to ignore them, or even to defy them. But the irony is that, with just a little self-reflection, these wisdoms of the Holy Spirit, otherwise known as virtues, reveal themselves as very practical advice for a good life well lived.

Though some today consider suggestions about leading a virtuous life as quaint or Victorian, the fact of the matter is that this view might ironically represent a recognition of the fact that the virtuous life is not easy. And that may be the problem for our current cultural milieu (secular or religious) that is constantly looking for the quick and easy way, or the comfortable way to meet a given desire or need. But nothing in the Gospels argues that life is easy, or that it should be. Suffering is real. Yet, it is in our capacity to recognize and accept this fact that we can begin to mature through it and find meaning in it through uniting our suffering with Christ’s own suffering.

Human beings have always desired to avoid suffering by attempting to withdraw from all that might involve pain of one kind or another. In reality, it is only through great effort and pain that we can even begin to pursue the great things like truth, or love, or moral goodness. In our efforts to avoid the pain of such struggles, we find ourselves drifting into emptiness and meaninglessness. The truth is that the work of becoming virtuous is very difficult. But it is a virtuous life, a life lived in accord with the wisdom of God, that can most effectively bring us the happiness that we are all seeking. As Christians who believe in God and his love for us; we know that we do not have to do this hard work of developing the habits of a virtuous life alone. God’s love and grace are with us in our honest labors to become true disciples of Christ in a difficult world tinged by so much suffering.

I’m not talking here about the ‘piccole virtu’ or the ‘little virtues’, that is, the common sense virtues like thrift and caution. These protect our hide, so to speak. But I am talking about the great virtues, the ‘magnum virtus’, those that protect our souls and the good of others. The Gospels call us to live the ‘great virtues’ like compassion, generosity, mercy, justice, patience, and love. These are the virtues of the heart. These are the virtues of the mature soul that is freeing itself of the ego and willingly orients itself toward the greater good, the common good, the good of others.

Among these great virtues is the virtue of self-control. It is the central virtue of a mature, adult life. It is rooted in the recognition that one is not alone in the world, that one’s choices and actions have effects beyond one’s self. It is the ability to sacrifice one’s own wants, even one’s needs, either temporarily or permanently, in order to honor the rights and freedoms that belong to others as much as to oneself. It guards the soul from the ego. It is capable of sacrificing selfish desires to honor and protect what is truly good for all. It is the virtue that is practiced by good parents who regularly and willingly sacrifice their wants and needs for the greater good of their children. We see it in the acts of true friends who will freely and gladly sacrifice their own needs or wants for a friend in need, even more so for the good of the anonymous other. Such behavior requires more than mere physical strength, it requires the strength of moral courage. Self-control, along with God’s grace, makes it possible for us to become true disciples of Christ. It is in this mature, adult habit that we become small candles of light in a darkened world.