Swallow the Fruit of Self-Control and Find Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  The last fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 may not seem as “tasty” as the others. It’s the fruit of SELF-CONTROL.

            “Self-control or “temperance” simply means to “have the strength to control the “self”.  We know this is a losing battle until we surrender totally to Christ.  This fruit of the Spirit called self-control makes all the other fruit operative.  Ask yourself:  Do I exhibit self-control in my daily walk?

            The Bible gives us instruction:

•  2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us that we are to keep control of our thought, taking every thought captive.

• James 3 tells us to guard our tongues.  We are told explicitly not to lie, bear false witness, or gossip.

• James 4: that we are to avoid sinning in our relationships with others---

            These are just some of ways God instructs us to use self-control.  And He knows that we need His help!   The Holy Spirit will work in our hearts to help us live above sinful practices, if we will allow Him.  As a result, we can model God’s values as we allow His power to help us daily; then we can more effectively share His love for others and spread His joy.

 Allow God to guard your thoughts and your words; ask Him to give you the fruit of the Spirit so that you may be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled! (Galatians 5)