The Fruit of the Spirit--Self-Control--Day 11

Self-control, or in some translations temperance, is pretty self-explanatory (I write my own jokes...).  The original word means self-restraint, self-mastery, continence.   The dictionary says it's habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion. 😧 In Acts 24, Paul is brought before Felix, the governor of Judea, to face accusations of stirring up riots and being a ringleader of a sect of the Nazarenes.  I went on an hour long search of Felix and his history.  (It is fascinating--if anyone is interested, I will send you some links.) Two things Felix is remembered for are his cruelty and his willingness to accept bribes.  This led to a great increase in crime in Judea, both in the government and community.  So when Paul comes along preaching righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, it's no wonder Felix became alarmed.  Felix was entrenched in the works of the flesh! In 2 Peter, Peter teaches that all the power we need to bear fruit of the Spirit is provided by knowing Christ Jesus, who called us for his own glory. These verses aren't teaching that we have anything to add to our salvation. But we do have a choice to make--to put on these qualities or not.  Titus 1 lists qualifications for elders, leaders in the church.  Proverbs 25 reminds us that a lack of self-control leads to no security.  

Galatians 5:16-26 contrasts works of the flesh with fruit of the Spirit.  Self-control seems like a contradiction to the things we've learned. We've learned that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness are all "divinely balanced virtues", given by the power of the Holy Spirit.  But we are not robots with God holding the remote.  We have to choose to model these qualities.  The power is there to love, but I have to choose to put on love.  There is power to have joy, but I have to choose joy.  And so on.... God will not MAKE me do any of these things.    I have stood before many witnesses and made a good confession to follow Christ.  Choosing Christ and then not practicing the self-control it takes to bear the fruit that points others to Him is taking His name in Vain.  Proverbs 25:28 says a man (or woman) without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.    The fight against the sinful nature at work within us is real.  A lack of self-control brings insecurity and instability.  "But those who have received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in him, rooted and build up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7) Safety and security is found by taking control of our sinful natures and putting it in the control of Christ Jesus, who has invited us to walk in Him.  💕