What is the difference between personal self-control and divine self-control?

I am a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Each year, I look forward to listing out all my big plans for the year. While my list typically focuses on my goals for the year, inevitably, a few “do better” resolutions creep on to the list. Resolutions like, “spend less time on my phone”, “reduce my sugar intake”, and “stop snapping at the kids” have made it on the list, year after year. And for a time, I am able to will myself to do these things; but I have yet to make a lasting change.

Personal Self-Control

While I leave a lot to be desired in the “self-control” department (especially when brownies are involved), it is possible for me to successfully wield a kind of “personal” self-control. This is a self-control based entirely on my own strength and will. It’s the kind of self-control someone employs when they decide to stop smoking or to lose a few pounds. It’s the kind of self-control that promises “this will be the year we keep our resolutions!” and then fails us half-way through February.

Now listen, there is nothing wrong with personal self-control. The problem is, it’s not enough. Any regular Joe can keep from yelling at the slow driver in front of him, but without God he can do nothing about the selfish heart raging inside of him. Personal self-control focuses on changing our behavior so we can…