Hey ya! Glad your all back for our last week of “Out With The OLD, In With The NEW.” Today we will be discussing the final fruit of the spirit: Self-Control. Let’s get to it!
Below is the scripture we have been referencing, where the fruits of the spirit are first introduced to us by Apostle Paul in the book of Galatians:
“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” -Galatians 5:22-23
- Self-control (often described as temperance in the bible) is the ability to regulate one’s actions, thoughts, emotions and behaviors, despite being tempted or provoked by our circumstances. Although it is considered the last fruit, it certainly is one of the most important, as it has to do with being able to resist the temptation to sin, be it with action, thought or behavior.
- “In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously]. And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bond-servants to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing and not talk back, not stealing [things, regardless of value], but proving themselves trustworthy, so that in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of God our Savior. For the [remarkable undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.” Titus 2:6-14
Living in agreement with the Holy Spirit takes discipline. God’s grace allows for us to do great and wonderful things in His name, however, faith without works is dead [James 2:26]. Meaning, our salvation is a gift from God, not something attained through our own merit [Ephesians 2:8-9]. However, faith without the work of OBEDIENCE will not yield fruitfulness of the spirit. In order to live in obedience, we must actively practice SELF-CONTROL, so that our faith may be displayed through our actions.
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