Self-Control

Last in the list of fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 is a two word little phrase that plagues most people. It is the words, "self-control." So many of the fruits of the Spirit seem to be good things and somewhat easy to grasp in our lives. I mean who doesn't want love, joy, peace? Who is it that is not patient? Ok so there not all that easy. But self-control?!?!?!

How in the world could the Spirit ask of us to be self-controlled knowing our very nature is against that? That is exactly the crux of that passage. When we are lead by the Spirit, we are under His control. (Galatians 5:16 NCV) "So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want."

I don't think that God Himself expects very high marks for us on this, else Jesus died in vain and grace is pretty cheap. The fact is that when we are led by the Spirit, we are controlled by the Spirit and we are able to be more self controlled. Though Paul mentions in Romans 7 that he struggled in the flesh, he also noted that Jesus was the reason he had no condemnation. In Romans 8 he lets us see that it is the Spirit who lives in us that enables us to resist the flesh in which we find ourselves.

My prayer is that in every aspect of my life I can become more self-controlled. As soon as I typed that I realized I have a ball game tonight. Please pray for me.