Self-Control

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Has anyone else always felt it was just hanging out there by itself? All of the other fruit of the spirit are direct characteristics of God himself—but self-control, how did that make the list? Seems like the Apostle Paul just tacked it on the end. That is until you really understand what it means.

The fruit of the Spirit isn’t a set of goals or the way to measure your progress…it is a result. The result and evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence, control, and continual work in your life. We do not become a Christian on our own; we cannot grow on our own; and we cannot produce fruit on our own. Philippians 2:13 says that "it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Every good thing, every characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit, is the result of God’s work in our lives.

Self-control is defined as the ability to control our thoughts and actions, to exercise moderation and restraint—the ability to say no to our natural desires. One of the key pieces of evidence that God is working in our lives is controlling our thoughts, words, and actions. To “set our mind on things above, not on things of the earth” (Colossians 3:2), to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), and to “keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” (1 Peter 2:11). Self-control is focused on the power of our speech, thoughts, and actions.

Despite its name, self-control is not something we do ourselves; it is not a bear down, grit your teeth, and grind your way through life character trait. Self-control is choosing God’s ways, seeing people and circumstances through His eyes, and then choosing His response. Self-control is literally the ability to make choices that honor God and we cannot do it apart from Him and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That is why it is so important to understand John 15:16, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” He chose us first, before the foundations of the earth were laid (Ephesians 1:4), because He knew we could not.

Self-control is not making a self-righteous, moral choice. It is not about doing the best you can to make right choices and decisions. It is the fruit of full and complete surrender to the God of our salvation and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. It is not so much a choice as it is abandoning our own ways and submitting to God’s ways. It is calling on the Lord, day by day, moment by moment, asking the Holy Spirit to lead. It is praying Ephesians 1:17, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better.” Self-control is literally giving over control or possession to another, the Holy Spirit, to know God better.

David twice had the opportunity to kill Saul, the man who had hunted him, flung spears and curses at him, and stood between him and the kingship that Samuel had prophesied over him as a young boy. He could have taken matters into his own hands, but David knew something many fail to learn…the promises of God must be fulfilled by the hand of God. David feared God more than he feared Saul, and that complete surrender to the will and ways of God, that self-control, would lead him to God’s destiny.

2 Timothy 1:7 states, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Surrender to the Holy Spirit and you will be enabled and empowered to fulfill God’s calling in your life.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Philippians 3:12-14 NASB Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 AMP Do you not know that in a race all the runners run their very best to win, but only one receives the prize? Run your race in such a way that you may seize, lay hold of, grasp the prize and make it yours! Now every athlete who competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we do it to receive an imperishable crown that cannot wither.

Proverbs 25:28 NIV Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 16:32 NIV Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

James 1:19-20 NIV My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Proverbs 18:20-21 NIV From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 12:15-16 NIV The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.

Titus 2:11-13 NIV For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.