The seventh Fruit of the Spirit is Self Control
What is Self Control?
Self Control (noun) – the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.
We’ve all experienced a struggle with self control, whether it’s sticking to eating healthy foods to lose weight, freeing ourselves from addiction, or if it’s me, not being sucked into the vortex surrounding a cookie. Me loves the cookies!
The spirit lives in the body, and the flesh wants it’s fleshly desires. Our self control is tested and we give in. The bible teaches us about self control and why we should be practicing it.
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down without walls
Proverbs 25:28
Jesus is the perfect inspiration for Self Control
Towards the end of the book of Matthew in chapter 26, we learn of Jesus’s perfect example of self control. He knows he was betrayed and is awaiting the arrival of the chief priests and elders to take him.
In Matthew 26:38,-39 he prays to the Almighty Father, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. O my father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
He prays to the father again, this time, in Matthew 26:41 with a strong spirit, but the trepidation of the human flesh remains, “The spirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.”
We know what comes next. He overcomes the flesh and saves us through his crucifixion by taking on our sins.
1 Corinthians 10-13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Trust in the Lord in times of weakness
If you ask our Lord for help from deep within your heart and have faith in him, he will help you. Keep in mind it’s not like a Harry Potter moment when after you pray to Christ and poof, it’s all good. Rather, he helps us in other ways.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
You’ve heard the saying, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Well in a manner of speaking, he does. He helps us through an encounter with a stranger, a song on the radio which speaks to us, a web article, a passage in the bible and more. He helps us find inner strength to overcome fleshly desires. Our part is to recognize its help when it comes, and remember to thank him for it when it does.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
How do you cope with Self Control? Share in the comment below and inspire others.
Spiritual Love Warrior 