The Fruits of the Spirit Series: Self-Control

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo courtesy of:  Caleb Gregory

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;"

~Galatians 5:22-23

In our study of the fruits of the Spirit, we come now to the fruit of self-control. It is the final fruit listed and, truly, serves as the foundation of all the other fruits, the launching pad for our ability to live out the other character qualities covered in this passage. 

We have already discussed throughout this study that the key to being able to have the fruits of the Spirit be cultivated in our lives is our prioritizing the practice of walking by the Spirit. He is the One Who actually produces the fruits in us, and He does so not as we strive, but rather as we simply spend time in relationship with Him. 

Just as it is key that we understand Who actually does the work of producing these fruits in us, so, too, it is important for us to understand the key role played by the fruit of self-control in our ability to exhibit the other fruits, as well. It is awfully challenging to be patient, kind, and gentle if you are not self-controlled in your actions and behaviors. For most of us, patience, kindness, and gentleness do not come naturally, requiring that we have the fruit of self-control in order for us to better put those other fruits into practice. 

Throughout Scripture the importance of self-control is emphasized again and again:

"Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness." ~Titus 2:2

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers." ~1 Peter 4:7

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:8

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."  ~2 Peter 1:5-7

"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." ~Titus 1:7-8

Self-control is key, for it is by our self-control that we are able to better fight the lust of the flesh, resist the devil, and grow more and more into the likeness of Christ.

Reflection Questions:

1)  Epictetus once said, “Man is not fully free unless he is master of himself.” Would you agree with this? How does this quote apply to what we studied today in regards to the foundational nature and importance of self-control?

2) How have you seen self-control to be crucial in your own life or in the lives of others?

3) Philip Massinger once said,  “He that would govern others, first should be the master of himself." How is self-control important for those of us in leadership positions, whether as a parent or at work?