The Fruit of the Spirit: Self Control

This final study on the Fruit of the Spirit has me feeling overwhelmed at all there is to learn about self-control and just how applicable it is to my life. With Beth’s workbook, my notes, and God’s help I will make the effort to do this topic justice in a short form.

The importance of self control or discipline in my life has never been so clearly defined to me. Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” What this verse is saying is that a person who lacks self-control has no protective boundaries. People in ancient times knew the importance of a wall for protecting their city and just what could happen when part of it crumbled. Even so in our lives, the enemy sees that broken wall, an out of control area in our lives, and it looks to him like an open invitation to play havoc. The author of this study writes, “Your wounds are guilt, shame, frustration, and failure; his goal is to hold you captive for as long as possible.”

Samson and Daniel are two men who exemplify the result of one who had no self-control and one who did. Although Samson had been dedicated to God as a baby, he showed no regard for things that were holy, things he was to abstain from. He had a bad sense of humor and although he had great strength, he had a weakness for women. In the end, his self-indulgence robbed him of his sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and sapped him of his strength. Daniel, on the other hand, spent his time alone in prayer and resolved to abstain from the king’s food that was offered to him. In the end he gained both physical and spiritual strength. It is noteworthy to site that physical discipline and spiritual discipline often go hand in hand.

A couple of the areas of life that we touched on regarding self-control were: our possessions and what we allow to enter our mind or mouth. In regard to possessions Solomon, a very wealthy and wise man, acknowledged that “everything is meaningless . . . a chasing after the wind.” Even though the enemy would like nothing better than to have us believe that acquiring more possession will make us happier, I want to remember to hang loosely to things. 1 Corinthians 6:12 states that, “Everything is permissive for me but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissive for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” I think that this verse pretty well sums up what self-control is all about. Putting a rein on what we allow to fill our mind will prevent the stealing of valuable time and protect us from becoming desensitized. Anything, even food, can become an issue if it masters me and become a broken wall that the enemy will surely spot. Self control produced by the Spirit is there to bless us.

If you have enjoyed these glimpses of the Fruit of the Spirit over the last 10 weeks, I would invite you to join a women’s Bible Study by Beth Moore. This one is called Living Beyond yourself.