Selfies, self-help, and self-consciousness are all the rage today. Pervasive is the phrase, “What’s in it for me?” Contrary to our culture’s obsession with the gratification of self, is another “self” word. Self-control. In a world that sees self-control as shackles, God’s purpose for self-control is life-giving freedom.
All this month at Do Not Depart we’ve been focused on the Fruit of the Spirit, and now we’ve come to the last one.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Definition
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines “self-control” (temperance, moderation, self-restraint are synonyms) as “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially sensual appetites.” This definition makes me think of “will power” and “self-denial,” and I know that left to control myself, I fail miserably. We can’t keep our desires and passions in check on our own. That’s why God gave us Jesus, and why it takes the Holy Spirit working in our lives to create self-control.
Self-Control Comes by the Holy Spirit
Having been saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, who alone conquered sin and death; we have the Holy Spirit living in us to form us in the likeness of Christ. God doesn’t ask us to try to be like Jesus in our own power or striving, He gives us the Holy Spirit, the Helper.
. . .that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. . . . (Ephesians 3:16)
The Holy Spirit is our power source. He alone equips us with what we need to exercise self-control. The benefits, or fruit, of Spirit-directed self-control are many. Let’s look at a few.
Self-Control Defends and Protects
Equipped by the Holy Spirit, self-control defends and protects us. Proverbs says a person without self-control is “. . .like a city broken into without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). Our lives can be wrecked by poor judgment and choices. Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are at risk of being compromised when we yield to our own desires instead of God’s. Self-control creates a fortress against the bombarding messages of self-gratification. Temperance in opinions, speech and habits keeps us from over-stepping boundaries meant to protect others and foster healthy relationships.
Self-Control Leads to Life
A life of self-control in accordance with the Holy Spirit yields life-giving freedom. Before our new lives in Christ, we were “slaves to sin” (Romans 6:20), but now under the Spirit’s direction we are free to experience life as God intends:
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Romans 6:22, NIV)
Free from sin and death and free to experience all the riches of God’s grace and glory, this is real life:
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. (Colossians 3:1-4, NLT)
The world sees self-control as inhibiting freedom, but in Christ it leads to true freedom and abundant life. Known for their self-control, the apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Christians:
One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3, MSG)
As Christians, we need to embrace self-control with joy, because although difficult, it brings life. When people see the fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in us, when they see us living our “real lives” to the fullest, they will see Jesus.
Fruit for Thought
As you go through your day, ask God to increase your self-control. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, listening and watching for opportunities to yield to the Spirit’s will. Be willing to live under the Holy Spirit’s direction with joy, so that others will be see it and be drawn to Jesus.
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