In my country we are facing another election. Unlike much of the world, we choose those who govern us, or at least pretend we do. Political parties, corporations, unions, and special interest groups use vast resources to influence and control the outcome. Even the media has become powerful, often manipulating the news for its own purposes.

History tells us it has always been this way to some degree. Though many claim my country was founded by Godly men who purposefully created a Christian nation, that's more wishful thinking there than truth. Many were Godly men, many were not. And are we sure we want to be defined by our leaders? In my lifetime, we've had presidents who...

Entered an Asian war for political purposes...condoned the criminal break-in of an opposing party's headquarters...were bullied by a country holding our citizens hostage...used astrology and numerology in making decisions...freed a country, then allowed the invader to slaughter its own people...disgraced the office and his wife through an extramarital affair...claimed victory in a war that years later has not ended.

We've now seen a president assume the role of prosecutor, judge and jury, finding an American citizen guilty of directing terrorist actions and then authorizing his execution in a foreign country -- with no judicial determination that those allegations were true. Such actions seem to fly in the face of justice, yet even the candidate who has run against him said he would have done the same.

The issue here is not about political parties or candidates, nor about my country or any other. It's about control. Given all that goes on around us, regardless of where you live in this world, who do you believe is in control? Be careful how you respond, for the answer is more complicated than you may think.

Many will quickly reply, God. Yet there's a problem with such a simple answer. The Bible disagrees. The whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19b, NIV). One translation has, lies in the power (NASB); another, lies under the sway (NKJV). Those who belong to this world are subject to and directed by influences of evil which lead mankind away from God. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them (1 John 4:5).

Such control is restricted to a fallen world and requires a willing heart. But ultimate control rests forever in only One, the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24a). So we find both ultimate control and limited control. Yet there's another.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23a) Self-control is evidence that we follow God. It builds us into an effective witness of His love that leads others on the path to experience Him. It's presence is critical if we are to stand against those who love themselves rather than God, who have a form of godliness but deny its power (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Some glance at God and do nothing, saying, "The Lord is in control. He will take care of our problems." Some focus on others and do nothing, sighing, "Evil controls the land. That's just the way it is." But some look at themselves, remember God's love, and declare, "I control who I am, and I stand as a witness of the life Jesus has shown us to live and the people He has called us to be."

Which are you?