“A person without self control is as defenceless as a city with broken down walls”.  Proverbs 25:28

Without self control we are defenceless.  We are exposed to our enemies – our weaknesses – which will defeat us and leave us broken and our lives in ruin.  Our weaknesses can destroy us physically, mentally and spiritually.

As humans we all have weaknesses and the devil will use our moments of weakness to tempt us.  This is what happened with Jesus when he was in the wilderness for 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:1-11).  The devil chose the moment when he was weakest to tempt him, but because Jesus had a strong knowledge of the scriptures and a close relationship with his Father, he was able to resist.  We have to literally resist as the bible tells us.

“Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7

Self control does not only refer to bad or evil things.  There are good things that we tend to take and overdo.  For example, eating is good, but overeating is bad.  So is too much drinking, partying and spending.  Self control is needed to avoid these things controlling us.

So how do we exercise self control?  It is not something we can do by ourselves.  After all, our flesh is weak.

“Keep alert and pray.  Otherwise temptation will overpower you.  For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!”  Matthew 26:41

We need help, through the Holy Spirit, in order for us to keep in control of our lives.  We receive the Holy Spirit through repentance and baptism.  (Acts 2:38)

One of the greatest challenges of being a Christian is overcoming one’s self.  We are very selfish by nature and it is only natural to think about our own wants and needs.  But with the help of the Holy Spirit we can exercise love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23), the fruit of God’s Spirit, in our lives.  The very thing needed to make us more selfless.

In this, the last of my series on the Fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, we can see how self control is certainly most important to help us live a good, moral and godly life.  One that shows we are truly children of God.  It also helps us to know and understand God better, once we put into practice his Fruit.

“So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life.  Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence.  A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.  Knowing God leads to self-control.  Self control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness.  Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone.”  2 Peter 1:5-7.

Let us now go and bear God’s Fruit.