But the fruit of the Spirit is … self-control.
Summary: Self-control is the crown on the head of the people of God.
How are you at memorizing Scripture? If you are one of those lucky people who make it look easy, my hat is off to you! Memorizing has always been a chore, so I struggle to memorize Bible verses.
One thing that sometimes helps is visualizing the verse. For example, picture a man standing with outstretched arms. He is supported by two legs. One is love and joy, and the other is peace and forbearance. His left arm embraces with kindness and goodness. His right arm is faithful and gentle. His head is crowned by self-control.
I like the image of self-control crowning the head.
The idea of self-control suggests three things. First, there is a “self.” Second, something is being controlled. Third, there is a reason or guide that defines what is under control and what is not.
When we drive a car, the “self” is the driver, the car is being controlled, and the signs and stripes on the road define whether the car is under control or not.
In the same way, the “self” is the “driver” of our bodies. Our bodies’ thoughts and actions are what is being controlled. The “signs and stripes on the road” are God’s laws. They are how we know whether we are under control or not.
What do you believe?
These are confusing times to live in. Instead of turning to the church for guidance on what to think, many of us turn to the television or the internet to hear what others say. When we hear things that contradict the Word of God, our faith is challenged. Do we really believe what the Bible says?
The answer to that question depends on what is in your fruit basket. Are you standing on God’s love, joy, peace, and forbearance? Do your arms reach out with kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness? Do your thoughts lead to self-control, or are you flailing every which way, believing whatever you hear on television or read on the internet?
Self-control is only possible if you know where the lines are.
We live in a world where people constantly claim there are no lines. We can be whatever we want to be. Truth can be personal because it doesn’t matter if you are driving forward or backward, on the road or off.
Perhaps it is time for self-control to speak out.
Application: Live according to God’s laws.
Food for Thought: How does self-control differ between a believer in Jesus and one who doesn’t believe in Jesus?*
*Minor edit for clarity.
.
I can only draw from my experience prior to making Christ Lord of my life and after making Him Lord of my life.
Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
I get this mental picture of confusion, thievery, and harm.
Confusion in what is right or wrong, and the inability to take a stand.
Thievery in my hope, peace, and love. There is an old legal phrase “a thief takes his victim as he finds them.” It means a thief is an opportunist. A person who guards themself against a thief presents no opportunity.
Harm to myself in my self-destructive thought and behavior, and harm to others by my behavior.
I relied on outside forces to control me, instead of an internal drive to control my decisions. I was asleep to the reality of my spiritual self. I was not sober to the reality of the world around me.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
Faith in Christ opened my eyes to sin, and the affects of sin. Both in eternity and in the present. Self control came as my faith and submission increased.
My self control blossomed as I sought to please God, not obey out of a fear of condemnation, but obedience out of love.
In Christ, and when presented with choices, the Holy Spirit guides me to the rightous choice. In my experience, sometimes I am already in the presence, and the conversation takes place in the space of a second. Sometimes, I have allowed my mind to stray, and the conversation takes longer. Either way He is faithful to bring me to a place of “informed decision”, self control, and the firm footing to make a choice.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Titus 2:11-12 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.
Thank you, Chris.
I have to agree. My personal development mirrors your description of growing in Christ.
How does self-control differ between a believer in Jesus and one who doesn’t believe in Jesus?*
1 Corinthians 13:11a,
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child;
1 Corinthians 13:11b,
But when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1 Corinthians 13:12,
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
As a nonbeliever we are all children, occupied with things of this world and focused on pleasing our physical selves in a world of children.
All who in the power of the Holy Spirit, surrender control of their lives to Jesus Christ, begin the process of putting away their preoccupation with things of this world and will find themselves increasingly focusing their lives of separating from the things of this world while growing toward spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Ron!
I appreciate the point about being childlike. Self absorbed or fully engaged, a child is transparent. In fact, we are all transparent to God.