“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and SELF-CONTROL.” Galatians 5
I find it interesting that the final element of this blog of the fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL during this month of indulgence, don’t you? December is filled with over-spending, over-eating, over-socializing and over-indulence in many other areas of our lives.
“Our country is one of over-indulgence and self-centeredness. I want what I want when I want it and how I want it. I will be denied nothing and I will do what I must to get it.” One look at the Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalog will prove this out!
How can we be SELF-CONTROLLED, as the Lord desires us to be, with all of this around us? First of all, what are the areas that we may need to adjust, pare down and learn to CONTROL? Are we in debt because of overspending? Are we struggling with our weight because of overeating? Are we having relationship problems because we don’t CONTROL our actions or words? Secondly, how are we going to learn to be more SELF-CONTROLLED?
Definition of SELF-CONTROL – “CONTROL or restraint of oneself or one’s actions, feelings, etc.”
This seems to tell me that before we need to think ahead of our actions, we also need to be aware of our weaknesses. Where do we lose SELF-CONTROL?
Here are a couple of quotes on the subject of SELF-CONTROL:
- “At no time is SELF-CONTROL more difficult than in times of success.”
- “Self-expression is good; SELF-CONTROL is better.”
- “Character does not reach its best until it is CONTROLLED, harnessed, and disciplined.”
In the book of Titus, Paul is speaking to Titus about what is required of elders. Here is some of what Paul says… “Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is SELF-CONTROLLED, upright, holy and disciplined.” Isn’t this what God asks of each of us too?
So, the next time you go shopping, ask yourself if you are exercising good judgment? The next time you want to “fly off the handle” and yell at someone, hold your tongue and use SELF-CONTROL. During this holiday season, the next time you are tempted to eat that third piece of yummy fudge…well, you know!
This concludes my blog series on the Fruit of the Spirit. I hope it has encouraged, blessed and challenged you.
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