Real Hope: Fruit of the SpiritSample

The Process Of Self-Control

To me, the imagery of Jesus as the vine and us as the branches is what happens when we accept Him into our hearts as Lord and Saviour – ‘remain in me and I in you’. At that point in time we are instantly intertwined for eternity and become an entity that has the potential of producing something that is good, and much of it. As branches, we grow and start the process of bearing fruit. You only have to Google ‘how does fruit grow?’ to learn that the journey of a plant-bearing fruit is a long, arduous, and drawn-out affair. 

It may seem like nothing is happening, but rest assured there is a lot going on behind the scenes along the way that you can’t see. 

When Paul lists the ‘fruit of the spirit’ in Galatians, he uses the word ‘fruit’ to help us understand that it is not an immediate change. These attributes require a process to become evident. We need to be patient. Of all on the list, I’m sure you’ll agree that he was spot on when it comes to ‘self-control’. Or is that just me?

Just like physical fruit needs time to grow, the ‘self-control’ fruit will not appear and ripen overnight. It takes time and will come through hard work and careful tending. Like a gardener, sometimes we may battle against bad weather, bugs, and those pesky weeds, but the harvest will come.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. Be patient and let the process take its course.

written by ROBBIE PARKIN