Cultivating Spiritual FruitSample

Self-Control

"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." Proverbs 16:32

We tend to think self-control is related only to a temptation or a specific health discipline. Taking care of our health and physical body is certainly important to our spiritual lives. If we are sick and exhausted, we can’t do the things God asks us to do, and we find ourselves held back. Disciplining ourselves to be active and to choose healthy foods to eat, gives our bodies the fuel we need to carry out God’s plans. However, self-control is more than restraining yourself from eating poorly, or from sinning or doing harm. Self-control is also disciplined behavior that obeys God commands.

Jesus had a repeated theme when he taught: don't merely hear God's word - do it. His Sermon on the Mount ended with an illustration of building a house on rock, not sand. Jesus compared having this rock-solid foundation to putting his words into practice (Matthew 7: 24-27).

We practice self-control in submitting to and obeying God’s will. When we develop a relationship with our heavenly Father, we learn to surrender to His control. We learn of His Holy Spirit's power, enabling us to live a life that produces godly fruit on a daily basis. As we make every effort to add self-control to our faith, we will be useful in Kingdom work. Becoming a self-controlled Christian requires submitting to His authority instead of trying to run our lives without Him.

James 1:22-25 compares hearing God's word but not doing it to looking in a “mirror and immediately forgetting what we look like.” Being a fruitful Christian requires more than hearing and understanding God's truth - it takes action! You must have ears to hear, a heart to obey, and hands willing to work.

The choice to have self-control and live in obedience to God is not just an obligatory attitude. We are to put forth wisdom using the gifts He has entrusted to us and personally partner with God as we step into our purpose. God wants more than adherence to rules and rituals; He wants our hearts. Self-control is a pro-active step which limits our over-reactive natures. With self-control we make right choices which lead to positive results.

What areas of your life need more self-control?

Thank you for reading this Bible plan. I hope it encouraged you to cultivate the Fruits of the Spirit in your life. For more encouragement, visit here.