Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

The final trait in the list of Christian characteristics is self-control. This is the ninth Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

The very idea of self-control tells us something about our nature. As long as we have human bodies we will struggle with worldly desires. As John Piper puts it: “There is a battle between a divided self. It implies that our self produces desires we should not satisfy but instead control.”

Not every desire is good for us. I have watched people destroy themselves by letting their urges and desires control them. The Christian knows that these desires are what we call sin. Sin tears us down and eventually destroys us.

So, how do we control these desires? There are two basic principles that we follow as God's people:

• we put God first

• we live for more than this life

First, we know that we are here to please Him, not us. Our desire should be to do what makes God happy, putting our own wants and desires behind us. Our sin is a distraction and leads us away from bringing Him glory.

But, more than that, we know that God has a plan for us that is far grander than any earthly pleasure could bring. As people of faith, we keep our eyes on THAT prize, putting the pleasures of this temporary life on hold. This is how Paul says it:

Titus 2:11-13

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

Pray, today, that God will give you the strength to master your fleshly desires so that you can move on in your spiritual walk and build your relationship with Him.

He is worth the effort.