The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22-23

    What comes to mind when you hear the term self-control? Diet, discipline, duty? Sounds like some hard work here. How do we grow this fruit of the Spirit? Jesus told us to remain in Him. He is the vine and we are the branches. He makes this fruit grow naturally in us. Could we call this particular fruit, "Spirit-controlled self?"

     I like to think of love and self-control as the bookends to all of the fruit. We need both to begin to flow in joy, peace, patience and all of the other attributes of the fruit of the Spirit. God’s love is so powerful it can fill us to the brim until it overflows with fruit to be used in our contact with others.

     Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance, all we have is our own mind, body and emotions to rely on. Following the desires of our own flesh and emotions can take us into some dangerous territory, as we react to the people and situations surrounding us on a daily basis. This Spirit-controlled self can come in handy.

    A nudge from the Holy Spirit might find you calling a friend, even when you don’t have time, with a word of kindness. He might use your teeth to bite your tongue when that anger boils up within, and, instead, words of gentleness are spoken with love. The Holy Spirit can work on us with those pruning shears of Christ in all areas of life. Our Spirit-controlled self may be able to say, “No!” to that third piece of chocolate. My emotions are still winning on that one.

     Growing in the things of the Spirit takes time. Use some of that fruit of patience with yourself. God’s patience with us never wears thin. When we stumble, He picks us back up, dusts off the flesh, and moves us again into the Holy mountain where He lives. The Lord never gave up on the Israelites as they made their way to the promised land. They turned away from Him, time and time again. In fact, it took them 40 years to make what should have been an 11 hour journey.

     Remember we are on the way to our own promised land. Let’s make the trip count. Jesus loves you. Allow the Gardener with those pruning shears to do His work as He begins to control even those old habits of ours.

Dear Jesus,

Teach us how to control our minds, bodies and emotions under the control of Your Holy Spirit. We know Your work in us will produce good fruit. Guide us as we listen for Your voice above all of the other noise around us today and everyday.

Amen