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The Fruit of Self-Control

Self control is an identifying mark of a Christian. When the Apostle Paul lists the nine fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 self-control is on the list. That is, if the Holy Spirit lives inside us (and He does for all those who have believed in Jesus Christ for salvation) then you WILL produce self-control. It is not a possibility that you might, you definitely should and must!

Self-control is not standard equipment on the human being. From our mother's womb we come forth screaming frantically until we get the things we need. Then in childhood our parents have to teach us to control our appetites, desires, and emotions - even if they cannot reach into our hearts they must attempt, as good parents, to at least govern our actions. But for the Christian this goes beyond simple behavior modification. If we have been born again by the Spirit of God, our heart is new and genuine self-control is possible. But it is not automatic.

Simon Peter writes to us in 2 Peter 1:5-8, "For this reason [us being partakers of a divine nature], make every effort to supplement your faith with...self-control...For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

This tells us at least three things. First, the self-control that we should be producing is going to take some serious effort on our part, that is why he says "make every effort." Secondly, this quality should be increasing. With every passing year we should be more self-controlled than we were in the last. Lastly, Peter tells us that if this quality and the others he lists in the passage are increasing - it will keep us from being ineffective.

Are you self-controlled? If you are not, you probably are not very effective in your witness and ministry. We need to make every effort to see that our lives are a visual display of self-control (and of Christ!) for all the world to see - then we will be effective in our witness.

Wanting To Display Christ For You,
Pastor Mitch

Comments

Anonymous said…
AHH, Mitch, it hurts. it hurts to know that i have been a "christian" for seven years now and i display as much self-control as someone that has never heard the name of Jesus. this is soo hard to master and is a daily struggle for me. my flesh wants nothing to do with self-control, but is my flesh my master? no! its hard. its frustrating, papa.

i commend you, Holy Papa! you bring the word as it is to those you talk to. too many times i have walked into a church and the message is presented in a way that is pleasing to the flesh. pure fluff. you, my friend, do the opposite. thank you! thank you for doing God's will, for listening to His voice and for demonstrating what a true servant of Christ is like. I miss you and am fortunate enough to say that you once were my youth pastor.
God Bless Papa!
6:04 PM
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