Fresh FruitSample

Day 11 | Self-Control

I think Jesus listed self-control last in the list because it’s the hardest.  If He’d have started with this one, we might have quit before we started.

Not needing to prove what I know, 

what I can do, 

and that I’m right 

is proof of who I am.

It’s not about self at all. 

This is something beyond us.

Something beyond what we can do.

We must allow self-control.

I believe this is the strongest evidence of God’s power within us.

Have you ever known a woman who never talks out of turn about anyone or anything? She never gets loud or short when she is angry.  She balances what she eats, how she responds, her tone of voice, and the looks she gives.  

I don’t know her, but I want her to be the girl in the mirror.  

I know I’m human and I’m going to make mistakes along the way.  But I want to be known as a woman with self-control.  

Gain self-control.  

Let’s think about self-control.

This final fruit is undoubtedly the most difficult to conquer.  But it’s a must.  If we don’t surrender our will to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and develop discipline in our lives in the simple things, (like our words, the movies we sit through, the people we hang out with, and the places we go) then we’ll never be able to discipline ourselves to develop our spiritual self-control into all the other fruits.  

Self-control is the key.

Now, don’t let the name fool you.  It actually has absolutely nothing to do with ‘self’ and everything to do with ‘control’.  You must surrender your control to Christ and die to yourself to gain the unmistakable beauty of a woman with self-control.

Think about some areas in your life where you’re showing self-control.  Now list some areas where you’re not.  

Write down some action steps that will lead you down the path of discipline you want to take.  Make a list of things you’re going to do to change this area of your life. 

Take one step today.  

If it means you’re going to actually go to the gym instead of just talking about it, do it.  For you, it may mean not talking to your best girlfriend about the situation you know is nothing but gossip.  It may mean not having that habitual bowl of ice cream at 11 p.m. before bed.   Whatever it is, write it down.  Then tomorrow, re-visit the scriptures and document your success.  Recognize how you feel when you’ve shown discipline in this area and make this the beginning of a lifestyle.  

A little twist on a famous Henry Ford quote, “if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be who you’ve always been.”  

Taking action steps today, changes your tomorrow.

Search the Word for God’s ideas on self-control.  Ask Him to speak directly to your heart and show you what He wants you to learn about this discipline.  Ask Him to give you strength to make the changes that must be made.