A Gift For Your Good

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22–23

Self-control is not something we hear a lot about in our culture. We’re often pressed to embrace excess, charge it to a credit card, go all out, or throw caution—and other people—to the wind in pursuit of our dreams and aspirations. Yet the Bible teaches that self-control is both the hallmark of a real Christian and a natural by-product of living God’s way.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. The list—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—offers a sharp contrast to the characteristics of an unstable world. Without self-control, people are liable to do whatever they like whenever they feel like it. Without self-control, we are easily prompted to wrong actions by our emotions and natural self-centeredness.

In order to honor Jesus, we must rely on this vital spiritual resource. God provides self-control so that we can more easily make choices that both benefit us and honor Him. Believe me: it will save us a lot of pain in the long run!

Holy Spirit, help me to be sensitive to Your guidance and willing to follow Your lead. Today I choose to yield to the fruit of the Spirit, especially self-control.