The Fruit of Self Control

I have read Galations many times. I have heard the many pastors who preach about the fruit of the spirit. But as I read this passage the other day, something popped out at me that I never realized before. I know God was speaking to me loud and clearly about self-control. As a woman whose desire is to please God and to do what is right, I try very hard to obtain self-control.

Galations 5:22-26 says, "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another."

Notice the phrase, "when the Holy Spirit controls our lives". Ouch. Who is in control of my life? Is it ME or the Holy Spirit who lives in me? When I am in control, I will continue to fail in the area of self-control. Interesting. You would think that to control ones-self, then one need to be in control... However, it is only when the Holy Spirit is in control that I am able to obtain self-control. That is what the passage says.

Let me illustrate. I am one who likes to participate in discussions about my philosophy of education or theology. However, sometimes I blurt out my opinions, unfiltered. In other words, I speak my mind without thinking really about the effect of what I am saying on other people. Therefore, I can offend people, without meaning to. Obviously, I am in control of my own life there and am not submitting to the Holy Spirit. But when I allow the Holy Spirit to control my life, then I am better equipped to have self-control over my words. Self control also includes my thoughts, my actions, my attitude, and even my emotions, such as anger. I do have an anger problem. Once again, when I am living in the Spirit, I can control my anger much better than when I am living for myself.

So what does it mean to live in the Spirit. For me, reading my Bible, meditating on God's word, such as this passage, praying, allowing God to control my thoughts, having an attitude like Jesus. Basically, it is taking the focus off of my own selfish desires. Notice the second have of the passage, "those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their passion and sinful desires to the cross." Here lies the problem. I allow my passions and sinful desires to take over, which basically keeps me in a state of bondage. When I give these desires to God, I feel so much lighter and victorious.

The last part of the passage says that if we live by the Holy Spirt, he will direct every part of our lives. When he directs our lives, then we can help but to have the fruit of the spirit flow from us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I think of people in church who I know that exude these qualities. They have so much fruit, I am drawn to them. I know I lack in these areas sometimes. Sometimes my fruit is pretty scare. I wonder if people see these in me the way I see the fruit in others. I know sometimes I am able to produce the fruit, but not as often as I should. It all falls down to my own obedience to God in allowing the Holy Spirit to control my life.

God, forgive my self-centeredness in my life. Let my light shine is such a way that the fruit is bursting from me. I desire to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Forgive me for letting my self get in the way. I give you my sinful passions and desires that keep me in bondage. Take that from me. Prune away the dead branches that are keeping me from growing and producing the fruit. Amen.