Welcome to our study on the last Fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL. Just because self-control is last doesn’t make it least important. On the contrary, it is the strongest one, holding the other eight fruits in place. Without the discipline of self-control, the other fruits of the Spirit would spiral wildly out of control. Let’s see how increasing self-control accelerates our spiritual growth and gives us victory in our lives. This week we’ll look at our struggle against the flesh.
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”
Romans 7:15 NKJV
The Legend about Two Dogs…
Have you ever heard the legend about two dogs living inside us? One is disobedient and selfish, the other gentle and loving. They constantly fight, like an eternal tug-of-war.
The Apostle Paul decried this human condition. As Christians, we try to quash our former rebellious nature (our iniquities) and walk in obedience to please God. When we accept Jesus as Savior, our sin nature dies but never goes away in this life. Hence, our two natures continuously struggle.
How do we win the struggle?
We win the struggle through self-control and sanctification–by studying the Word and communing with God through Jesus in prayer. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to control how we react to temptations that enter our lives. Without Him, we would have no hope. With Him, we always have the victory. As Paul gratefully proclaims, “It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free” (Romans 7:25 TLB).
The flesh and self-control…
The flesh certainly has its specific appetites, doesn’t it? We all have our own particular battles to fight. Check off which ones apply to your life:
- The mouth-gate:
- what we eat and drink
- words we speak
- oral addictions
- The ear-gate:
- The message we receive through music or the spoken word
- The eye-gate:
- What we watch on television, the computer, or at the theater
- What we read
- The feet-gate:
- The places we allow ourselves to go
- The hand-gate:
- What we allow ourselves to do, hold, or touch
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV
Back to the legend…which dog wins the fight? The one we feed the most. As we grow in sanctification, the struggle lessens. God gives us the power to overcome and be victorious through the fruit of self-control. Although we never “arrive” at perfection in this life, our blessed hope is that we will attain it in heaven through our Savior’s perfection.
How are you overcoming your struggles against fleshly desires? How are you developing self-control in areas of weakness?
Dear Lord, thank you for understanding our temptations and giving us the power to overcome them. It’s through Your Holy Spirit that we grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we live in victory as we grow in the fruit of self-control. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
To better understand Romans 7:15, I reread it in Good News Translation by the Greek Bible Society.
It has such a deep meaning.
How am I developing self control has been an ongoing issue.
I’ve been able to control my tongue but once in a while a bit of bitterness slips in.
I’m seriously working on ‘oral addictions’. My definition might be different from what you actually mean.
Thank you once again for such a soul searching session. I’ve grown so much during my front seat reservation.
Thanks also for my weekly invitation.
I so look forward to “seeing” you here every week, dear Sandra. Thanks again for your participation and your comments. I think practicing self-control is a never-ending discipline, but we improve as the Holy Spirit leads. I agree with you about controlling the tongue—that’s a permanent quest for me too. I love that Joyce asks us to pray before we post. I want to also apply that to my words—pray before I speak. 💞xoxo 💞
***Ladies, please join us as Karen Jurgens begins the focus on the ninth Fruit of the Spirit: SELF-CONTROL in Lesson 40. You are encouraged to participate in our “Front Porch” Bible Studies series Heart”wings” ministry outreach. Please stop by and tell us what you think! We look forward to your participation and your comments, either here on Karen’s Touched by Him Ministry page or on our A Women’s Fellowship/Ministry Community page [https://www.facebook.com/HeartWingsMinistry/]. Your comments are such an encouragement to other ladies reached by this lesson to lead them to engage as well. We are looking forward to seeing you on our “Front Porch.” 🙂 <3 j xoxo*** Posted by: Joyce Graves, Founder of Heart"wings" – a women's fellowship and other related Heart"wings" ministries.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Joyce. I appreciate your support more than you know. You are cherished! Much love and big hugs. 💞xoxo
This is so great, Karen! My husband taught on John 15 at church yesterday, how Jesus is the vine, and how we must stay connected to Him to bear fruit…the fruit of the Spirit. Even though self-control is listed last, it’s definitely not easy to come by. But your words of wisdom here offer the antidote, “We win the struggle through self-control and sanctification–by studying the Word and communing with God through Jesus in prayer. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to control how we react to temptations that enter our lives.” So good and so are all the “gates” you mention!
Hi Karen! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting today. Your husband is so right—remaining connected to the vine is how we grow our fruit. I’m so thankful that the Lord provided self-control so we can walk in victory! Blessings! 💞xoxo
This is a message I need. Thank you so much. Have a blessed week!
You’re very welcome, dear Mimi. I’m glad it was a blessing. So happy you dropped by today! Wishing you a blessed week as well. 💞xoxo
Karen, thank you for your excellent lesson for this week. I agree that without this important and final Fruit of the Spirit all the others would spiral out of control. A very good analysis. I particularly related to these powerful words from your lesson: “We win the struggle through self-control and sanctification–by studying the Word and communing with God through Jesus in prayer. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to control how we react to temptations that enter our lives. Without Him, we would have no hope. With Him, we always have the victory. As Paul gratefully proclaims, “It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free” (Romans 7:25 TLB).” May we all stay focused on His Word, our eyes fixed upon Him, and learn how to apply it to our lives. Amen! <3 j xoxo
Amen, Joyce! Our time we spend in the Word and in prayer are the keys to gaining self-control. As I focus on this important fruit, I want to concentrate on growing more of it in my life. Like Paul, I also want to claim his words:“It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free” (Romans 7:25 TLB). Thanks for coming by and commenting today! Blessings. xoxo
Some really good points in here. I’ve noticed that the more I walk in step with the Spirit, the easier it is to exercise self-control. He gives us the strength to overcome. Thanks for another great post!😊❤️
Thanks for commenting, sweet Cait. Walking in step with the Spirit reminds me of Jesus telling us to take His yoke in exchange for our burdens. What better walking companion than our Lord! “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:29-30) Much love and hugs xoxo
Great post, Karen!
Thanks, Gail! So glad you came by today. Blessings ❤️xoxo