Fruits of the Spirit in Everyday LifeÀpẹrẹ

SELF-CONTROL Through Yielding to Christ

Read 2 Peter chapter 1 verses 3-11

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Reflection on the passage:
One of the most frustrating experiences in the Christian life is discovering in ourselves a lack of self-control. Maybe it’s giving in to the temptation to indulge in that large portion of dessert when we had committed to fast from sweets for a time. Or perhaps it’s speaking hurtful words to a family member when we had just decided to bring our anger to God before opening our mouths. Whether it’s our desires or our tongues, controlling ourselves isn’t easy, especially when we’re relying on our own willpower. In this passage, the apostle Peter writes that it’s Christ’s divine power that has given us everything we need to live a godly life.

How then do we access this power of God and escape the corruption that evil desires will lead us into? Peter tells us that it’s in our knowing Christ and embracing His precious promises that we participate in His divine nature. In other words, the way we grow in godliness is through our relationship with Jesus! He abides in us, and we abide in Him. We are transformed to be more and more like Christ as we commune with the Triune God through Christ. This means that for the Christian, “self-control” really means yielding to Christ who dwells within us.

This growth in the fruit of self-control is not something that happens overnight. Peter describes our growing in Christ as a process of building where one quality builds upon another. We begin with faith and then goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. This may remind us of the “fruits of the spirit” passage in Galatians 5 where we started this devotion series. We bear fruit as we walk with the Spirit.

So when we feel frustrated by our lack of self-control, we can turn this frustration into an opportunity to come honestly and humbly before Jesus and admit once again that we can’t do this on our own strength. Then He will meet us right where we are and continue His good work within us, that in time will show much fruit!

Focus verse for prayerful reflection:
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1 verse 8)

1. Are there areas in your Christian life where you are feeling ineffective or unproductive right now? Talk with Jesus right now and express your frustration and struggle, knowing that He meets you in that place of authenticity.
2. What qualities might Jesus be growing in you right now? What qualities do you long to have “in increasing measure”? Talk with Jesus about this as well and embrace His promise to complete the work in you that He has begun.