THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS…SELF-CONTROL

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls – Proverbs 25: 28

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…SELF-CONTROL” (Gal.5:22). This is also referred to as Temperance (KJV). This fruit is most needful in our self-centred and materialistic world. The original meaning of the word is: “to grip” or to “take hold of” – the sober restraint of natural impulses. It describes a person who is willing to get a grip of his or her life and take control of fleshly desires that could severely affect destiny. It is the spirit which has mastered its desires and love for pleasure. The term is used of the athlete’s discipline of his body (1Cor.9:25) and the believer’s mastery of sexual desires (1Cor.7:9). It is the power to keep yourself in check; usually in terms of a moderation in the indulgence of your appetites and passions.

Self-control is the virtue in a person who has so mastered his passions that he is fit to be the servant of others. Paul’s testimony portrays him as the classic example of Self-control, illustrating the marks of a self-controlled life (1 Cor.9:19-27). First, it is a life lived with PURPOSE (vs.24-26). Purpose will propel you to do things that you may not particularly like doing, but which are needful in life, and to avoid or sacrifice other things that are destructive to destiny. Next, purpose drives you to DISCIPLINE yourself for the DILIGENCE that is required for distinction in life. Winners do not put in half-hearted efforts; they give it their all. Paul disciplined his body to make it a slave. He would not let the appetites of the body ruin his calling. Many people are slaves to their bodies, giving free reins to the dictates of their appetites and the drives of their hormones.

Finally, a self-controlled life is lived in submission to something and someone greater than self (vs.27). Paul disciplined his body, following strict training regiments, so that he would not be disqualified. You have a higher calling than just satisfying fleshly appetites. The key to self-control is submitting to the Lordship of Jesus in your life. Anything that is left uncontrolled will ultimately cause harm or havoc to life and relationships. It is always easy to blame others for our failures, but many times we are our own worst enemy due to a lack of self-control. Self-control does not however derive from self-will. It is that quality which grows in you as Christ abides in your heart; that quality which empowers you to live and to walk in the world, and yet with garments unspotted from the world – in the world but not of the world (Jh.17:11-16; Tit.2:11-12).

Self-control should be evident in all areas of your life, particularly the following: your appetites (Pro.23:1-3; 1Cor.9:27); desires of the flesh (Pro.6:26; Rom.13:14); battles of the mind (2Cor.10:5); tongue (Jam.3:7-8); ambition (Pro.23:4); anger (Pro.29:11); drinking (Pro.23:29-35); spending (Pro.21:20). You must master your body and mind, not they you. You must allow the Lord Jesus to infiltrate and influence your life, by presenting your body and mind to Him. Your appetites, desires, judgments, tastes, and speech must come under the mastery and control of the Holy Spirit. This comes through disciplines of the Word, Worship, Fellowship, and Prayer, with Jesus at the centre, not an appendage or afterthought. This is the true meaning of being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). I pray that the walls of life’s city shall not be broken down in Jesus name.