"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." Galatians 5:22 & 23
This is the last of a nine part series I call "Spiritual Fruit of the Month Club". Have you ever seen or received a gift where you are entered into a club and once a month you are sent a box of fruit - a different kind of fruit each month? Well, that is what we will be doing here - on the first Sunday of each month for nine months I will be sending you a digital box of Spiritual Fruit. We will study and try to use that fruit in our daily lives for that month.
Self-control is a characteristic that our modern world has forgotten about - in society today anyone can say and do what they want just as long as it makes them "happy." Whether it is physical, mental or emotional stimulation - it's an "anything goes" attitude with no regards for other people. When you think about it - if you are self-controlled you are being considerate for other people. Striving to be self-controlled will not only benefit yourself but it will benefit those around you.
"It (God's Word) teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:12
If you read all of Titus chapter 2 you will notice that "self-control" is mentioned many times. In these verses "self-control" should be practiced by everyone - old and young, male & female.
"Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:13
In everything that we do - our ACTIONS - we must be self- controlled, we must show restraint in good & bad times, we must have a strong willpower and be disciplined showing the grace of Jesus our Lord & Savior.
"The end of all things is near; Therefore be clear minded & self-controlled so that you can pray." 1 Peter 4:7
I find it so interesting that our "minds" must be clear and prepared for both PRAYER & ACTION. Have you ever had difficulty praying because your mind was racing on things happening in your life? - I know I have many times - if your mind is not clear then it is impossible to honestly have quiet time with God. Prayer is so much more listening than talking - God molds us through prayer and how can we understand anything if we are only thinking "I have to do the laundry" or "I better help the kids with their homework" or "I'm hungry - doesn't chocolate sound good?" - we have to clear our minds of all of this clutter before we pray.
"Be self-controlled & alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8
Then there's TEMPTATION. How vivid this verse is - "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Being self-controlled & alert is necessary to help defend ourselves against Satan and temptation. I wonder if our heavenly Father wanted "self-control" to become second nature - like a good habit - since it is vital for prayer, for our actions & during temptation.
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28
There is a vacant rundown house in my neighborhood and it is literally out of control - there are skunks, opossums and stray cats living on or under the porch and garage. There is junk piled to the ceiling of the front & back porches and there are also many wasp nests and the worst smell of mold coming out of that house. This state of disrepair is what I think of when I read this verse.
SELF-CONTROL. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22 & 23
This is the last of a nine part series I call "Spiritual Fruit of the Month Club". Have you ever seen or received a gift where you are entered into a club and once a month you are sent a box of fruit - a different kind of fruit each month? Well, that is what we will be doing here - on the first Sunday of each month for nine months I will be sending you a digital box of Spiritual Fruit. We will study and try to use that fruit in our daily lives for that month.
Self-control is a characteristic that our modern world has forgotten about - in society today anyone can say and do what they want just as long as it makes them "happy." Whether it is physical, mental or emotional stimulation - it's an "anything goes" attitude with no regards for other people. When you think about it - if you are self-controlled you are being considerate for other people. Striving to be self-controlled will not only benefit yourself but it will benefit those around you.
"It (God's Word) teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." Titus 2:12
If you read all of Titus chapter 2 you will notice that "self-control" is mentioned many times. In these verses "self-control" should be practiced by everyone - old and young, male & female.
"Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:13
In everything that we do - our ACTIONS - we must be self- controlled, we must show restraint in good & bad times, we must have a strong willpower and be disciplined showing the grace of Jesus our Lord & Savior.
"The end of all things is near; Therefore be clear minded & self-controlled so that you can pray." 1 Peter 4:7
I find it so interesting that our "minds" must be clear and prepared for both PRAYER & ACTION. Have you ever had difficulty praying because your mind was racing on things happening in your life? - I know I have many times - if your mind is not clear then it is impossible to honestly have quiet time with God. Prayer is so much more listening than talking - God molds us through prayer and how can we understand anything if we are only thinking "I have to do the laundry" or "I better help the kids with their homework" or "I'm hungry - doesn't chocolate sound good?" - we have to clear our minds of all of this clutter before we pray.
"Be self-controlled & alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
1 Peter 5:8
Then there's TEMPTATION. How vivid this verse is - "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Being self-controlled & alert is necessary to help defend ourselves against Satan and temptation. I wonder if our heavenly Father wanted "self-control" to become second nature - like a good habit - since it is vital for prayer, for our actions & during temptation.
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28
There is a vacant rundown house in my neighborhood and it is literally out of control - there are skunks, opossums and stray cats living on or under the porch and garage. There is junk piled to the ceiling of the front & back porches and there are also many wasp nests and the worst smell of mold coming out of that house. This state of disrepair is what I think of when I read this verse.
What will you do with your shed full of self- control this month?
Stopping by from the "Weekend Blog Walk" - new follower :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Anni
Thanks - I followed you back!
DeleteHi Angie: This is such a good lesson and a reminder that God will handle it. Just be quiet, don't strike out, don't demand respect, apologies or compensation. Obey the Spirit as he infuses us with self-control, and God will handle it, because it is through God's Spirit that we are able to have self-control.
ReplyDeleteJust as you said in using the abandoned house as an example, lack of self-control allows all sorts of ungodly things to take up residence. In the end, lack of self-control does no good for us, and it doesn't help us to get what we need. It prevents us from experiencing the good life that God desires for us. The required investment of humility and obedience is well worth it.
Thank you for a great lesson.
Thank you so much - you always add such wonderful insight!
DeleteGod bless!
Angie
Great post :) follow u back. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWonderful post! Beautiful blog! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
Great post! Following you from the blog hop!
ReplyDeleteAmy
www.1001tears.blogspot.com
Thank you for following from the weekend blog walk. What a beautiful blog...and I LOVE the scripture verses. We are always talking to the boys (5!) about self-control, and when you have scripture to support your instruction, even better! God Bless!
ReplyDelete~Susan www.solesearchingmamma.com