self-control

In Galatians we read about the fruit of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who  are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬25 NKJV

This list gives characteristics of what a person will have and do, and be like, when they are walking according to the Spirit of God. This is not a list that is easy for most of us.  But, it is only through having the Spirit of God operating in us and through us that we are able to live a life filled with these characteristics.  When we are missing part of this fruit, we might want to examine where our relationship with Jesus is and if we are not as close to Him as we should be.
I know each of these are very important, but I really want to talk about one characteristic in particular.  Self-control,  or temperance, as the King James Version says it, is moderation, self-restraint in action, statement, etc. Why did this stand out to me? It is last on the list. It hit me, that self-control is needed to apply most of the other characteristics of the spiritual fruit.  Loving others requires us to control self, not be selfish or self serving, and put others first.  The same goes for having longsuffering, being kind, good, gentle and faithful. Self-control is also needed to rest secure in Jesus and have His joy and peace in all situations. Faith applied is giving control to God rather than handling it ourselves. That takes restraint of self.

We often allow circumstances to dictate how we act, respond,  and speak. We may allow a 'bad day' to be an excuse for our own bad choices in attitude. We feel justified in being grumpy or   even using hurtful words. We have not remained temperate or even keeled.  We have allowed selfish desires, selfish feelings, and emotions to take control rather than staying centered in Jesus. Jesus doesn't want us to be ruled by our flesh, but to walk in the Spirit.  When we give our emotions, frustrations and grumpiness control, we have just pushed Jesus out and are bearing fruit of the flesh.

Yes, I realize we are human and, yes, we have to deal with being human. But, if we are made in His image, we are really a spiritual being robed in flesh and that spiritual being is the part of us that will live on forever. This is the part of us that matters most.  We must learn, that our spiritual person, needs to be attended to first and foremost.

Self-control means we are holding ourselves in check, not reacting out of hurt, fear, anger, grumpiness,  etc, but choosing to react, instead, with the fruit of God's spirit.  If we choose to react with the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit, we may see big changes in our lives. We might see a decrease in hurt, in strife, in distrust, and brokenness.  We might see more lives turning to the Savior. Our walk will be different. Our talk will be different. Our actions will be different. We would be closer to living a life full of what God has for us.

Self-control doesn't mean we are boring, lacking in life, nor flat in our response. It means we are giving God control of how we respond. We respond by the Spirit, not the flesh. We are living in the Spirit.

 In Galatians, Paul also listed fruit of the flesh:
 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

These fruit characteristics sound so familiar in our world today. I would much rather bear the fruit of the Spirit. Most of the fruit born in flesh brings about destruction of the soul. This fruit is born out of our sinful nature and leads to destruction.

Self-control is a big part of the fruit of the spirit and works hand in hand with each of the other characteristics.   It takes self-control to notice others and put forth the effort required to pour out true love into their lives. It takes self-control to respond with kindness when you are actually frustrated, angry, tired, and cranky. It takes self-control to respond with faith,  joy and peace when your world seems to be falling apart around you. It takes self-control to respond with faith and patience when you want and need  an answer from God in the rough situations. We need this fruit of self-control to keep all the other fruit operating when we don't  feel up to challenge on our own.
May we all strive and pray for self-control that only comes from walking with God. In His spirit. May we bear His fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who  are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16‭-‬25 NKJV