The carnal mind covets control, as all of us desire to control things for ourselves. Yet, God's way is not one of controlling others but of self-control, a rigorous self-mastery. This is evident in the life of Jesus Christ, who, despite being the King of kings and God in the flesh, came as a servant, totally under authority, doing only what His Father instructed. He had no control over His circumstances, yet He maintained perfect self-control, even unto death. As His disciples, we are called to a similar position, to be servants and slaves, lacking control over our lives, and to esteem others better than ourselves, putting their interests ahead of our own through lowliness of mind. The way of control stems from selfish ambition and conceit, but the way of Christ is through humility and obedience, even to the point of death. The example of Felix, a former slave turned governor, illustrates the craving for control. Having lived without control as a slave, he sought power and dominance once freed, ruling with savagery and lust, taking bribes, disregarding justice, and using assassins to eliminate opposition. His actions reveal a deep-seated desire for control, contrasting sharply with the self-control preached by Paul, who spoke of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, causing Felix fear. Self-control, or self-mastery, is a fruit of the Spirit, a discipline akin to an athlete training for a race, requiring constant effort to bring the body into subjection. A Christian must rule their nature and flesh, directing their mind by the Holy Spirit to avoid sin. Through faith and love for God, fully committing to His path and using His strength, we can maintain self-control, preventing satan from touching us. Jesus Christ exemplified this in His final hours, under immense stress and persecution, never losing self-control, remaining calm and outwardly minded, even healing an enemy's ear amidst His arrest. In contrast, His disciples, like Peter, lacked self-control, fleeing and denying Him under pressure. Yet, Jesus committed Himself to God's will, controlling His mind and body to the very end, even on the cross, showing that our responsibility is to master ourselves amidst a world spiraling out of control.

Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, embodies the essence of rebellion, with his name meaning "let us revolt." At the core of such a rebel lies a deep-seated desire to rule and assert authority. Like satan, the original rebel who sought to replace God, Nimrod's actions were driven by a need for preeminence, leaving a trail of division and destruction rather than peace. Unwilling to let God govern His creation, Nimrod took matters into his own hands, displaying unshakable faith in his own efforts and abilities. His revolt against God was not military but cultural and spiritual, establishing the Babylonian system with roots in his leadership. Described as a mighty hunter against God, Nimrod's character was profoundly contrary to divine will. Whether he gained followers by promising protection from wild animals or by aggressively hunting human competition, his actions reveal a narcissistic striving to be on top. His founding of at least eight cities, including Babel, and the construction of the infamous tower were driven by a desire to make a name for themselves, seeking honor and authority rather than glorifying God. The people of Shinar built the tower to ensure their viability and protect against calamity, unconcerned with their standing before God, focusing solely on their legacy. Nimrod's tale is one of arrogance and blindness, using his leadership for self-exaltation and the pursuit of preeminence. His competitiveness gained him subjects, often at others' expense, as he stepped on others to reach the top. His central thought was not what God was doing, but what he himself was achieving. He foolishly promised protection—something only God can guarantee—offering deceptive salvation through association that would ultimately disappoint.

Satan craves control, seeking to compete, devour, and gain the upper hand, driven by a desire to triumph and win. This desire for control often manifests in anger and hostility, as seen in the actions of Aaron and Miriam toward Moses. Their attempts to elevate themselves by diminishing Moses revealed a denial of the reality that God is in control, showing they did not trust Him to manage affairs. Similarly, those who reject or overlook God's sovereignty will strive to control situations themselves, often resorting to anger or hostility. In contrast, those who humbly submit to the reality of God's governance, acknowledging His authority over all things, will act with patience and humility rather than seeking to dominate or manipulate.