There is something that I find lacking in the body of Christ. Very few Christians seek this missing thing, yet it may be the one fruit of the Spirit that actually holds your life together. Without it, you will never become a fraction of what God has determined for you to be.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the “fruit of the Spirit.” These are spiritual qualities that reflect the character of the Holy Spirit in believers’ lives.
You know the list: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We tend to pursue some of these fruits more than others, especially the love-love-love which we think will solve every problem. Joy and peace are two other favorites! We want these fruits, don’t we? But some of the other fruits of the Spirit are slightly different. One in particular requires some careful study.
Are you ready? It’s the fruit of the Spirit called “self-control.” I haven’t heard a sermon or teaching on it in a very long time. And I can’t remember anyone ever asking me to pray that God would give to them the fruit of the Spirit called “self-control.”
The Greek word used in the Bible for the fruit “self-control” was a word that meant “an athlete’s discipline of their body.” It also described “an emperor’s ability to never allow his personal interests to interfere with his governance.”
This “self-control” indicated a way of life that was motivated by excellence and focus. There was no slipping out of the purpose, no human passion or appetite that pre-empted the goal of winning the prize.
Paul had strong words for this kind of thing… “Give no place to the Devil!” You keep him out!
Wow! We could use some of this – personally and in the church!!
It seems in our times that every failure and every mistake and every sin is blamed on some kind of an addiction or weakness. It can be anything from food to sugar to medications and of course to behaviors. There are sex addicts, gaming addicts, food addicts, exercise addicts, internet addicts, and on and on. Everyone with a consistent problem is now labeled an addict and should be viewed with sympathy.
I don’t deny the reality of addiction. But I do say that there are many things today that are attributed and marked as addictions, which are nothing more than a lack of self-control. Sometimes these problems get blamed on the devil. “If you would just cast this out of me, I wouldn’t have this problem.” Paul had strong words for this kind of thing… “Give no place to the Devil!” You keep him out!
The Christian who exerts no control over their thoughts, feelings, words, or behavior is vulnerable to demonic attack. Your very words may be attracting demonic attacks if you cannot control what you say. Lack of self-control is an open door for all kinds of manifestations and influences and eventually demonic bondage.
Billy Graham, the greatest evangelist of our lifetime, spoke of having battled with temptation his entire life. So will you and so will I. Everything cannot be blamed on the devil. And the Bible promises that when temptation comes, “God will provide a way of escape!” Have you looked carefully for a way of escape? Self-control is a Holy Spirit characteristic that God has promised us, and it’s a great starting point for escaping temptation.
Most of us have a great lack of self-control. Even “Love” is somehow beyond our control. “I fell in love and then I fell out of love.” Really? Self-control is a supernatural work that Holy Spirit gives us. It’s just as powerful as the supernatural fruit of love. If the supernatural fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, and so on are available, so is self-control.
I don’t mean to oversimplify. But I know from my own life and many decades of ministry that many if not most of life’s difficulties would change dramatically if we used self-control. There is an old Icelandic proverb: “He who lives without discipline dies without honor.”
Ask for all the fruit of the Spirit—but don’t forget the one at the end of the list—self-control. Holy Spirit, would You help me cooperate with You to be like an athlete striving consistently for the prize – disciplined, focused, purposeful, and controlled? You can be. That’s up to you.
