We come to final fruit of the Spirit that Paul lists out for us in Galatians 5. One that is just as desperately needed in our hearts and lives as any other. Much of the cultural current that we stand in flows against the virtue of self-control. In many respects we are an impulse driven culture. Grocery stores are strategically arranged to take advantage of your impulse shopping. Internet ads pop-up hoping to kidnap you into an impulse purchase. Sensual material floods the media because Hollywood knows that one of our strongest impulses is lust.
One author pointed out that the best way to know the difference between practicing self-control and lacking self-control is to look at the difference between Joseph when tempted by Potiphar’s wife (see Genesis 39) and David when tempted regarding Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11).
Joseph rules over the temptation and flees the scene to safety. David becomes ruled by the temptation and ends up entangled in a web of deception and murder.
To lack self-control is to be ruled by the desires of the flesh that remain in our hearts.
But the self-control that the Spirit is working to cultivate in our hearts is the ability to recognize and renounce our sinful desires and bring them into submission to the reign of God in our hearts.
The fruit of self-control calls us to ask this question: “Who or what is winning the battle over your heart: Is it the desires of the flesh or the desires of the Spirit?”
Let’s get even more specific.
Are you led by the Spirit in controlling your passions?
How about your temper?
Your appetites?
Your attitude toward others?
Your use of your time?
And have you kept a close watch on your tongue?
As you reflect on even one of these areas, it’s not hard to realize that some serious pruning is needed in our hearts.
Confession of sin is one means by which the Spirit prunes our heart so that more fruit can grow. So take a moment to go to God confession your lack of and need for self-control. Here is a prayer that can help you give vent to your confession:
Our Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for the ways that we have lacked self-control and been driven by the desires of the flesh.
We have been ruled by our temper, and given in to unrighteous anger.
We have been led by our lusts, and given in to temptation.
We have not tamed our tongue, and have spoken unwholesome cutting words.
Teach us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled and godly lives.
Forgive us through Christ we pray, Amen.
What hope is there that we will ever be able gain victory over the desires of the flesh that wage war within us? The hope is that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us with the same resurrection power. As Romans 8:10-11 states:
If Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
By grace God not only raises us from our dead state of sin, he also gives us life by his Spirit so that we can walk in newness of life. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
