Self-Control

Let’s discuss one of the fruits of the spirit, self-control. I like this one because its something that forces us to dig into what we realize we need more control of and holds us accountable to obtain the goal we want for ourselves. The other fruits mentioned in scripture are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

The holy spirit that dwells in us give us fruit from God to help us and show us how to live like Christ. Self-control is one that is just as important as the rest but I find myself really trying to focus on this one lately with certain situations in my life. It’s important because we have to practice self control over sin and over our choices on a daily. It’s our human nature to sin but with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can control that. He gives us the tools we need each day to complete the job.

I think we all need a little self control from time to time. Whether it be social media, our phone, food, work, drinking, lust, addiction, shopping, etc. The list could go on. Not everyone’s will be the same so we have to really watch ourselves and be aware of each others feelings and what their going through. You don’t know what each person is battling or trying to figure out how to get better control of in their lives.

One of my self-control tasks is social media. I could be on Facebook all day if I wanted and get lost in a rabbit hole. I had to start taking action after I realize I had more important things going on in my life that needed my attention more. I started deleting all my social media accounts but kept Facebook for family reasons and of course my blog. Once I got rid of most of the distractions, it was easier to put my phone away and not worry about everyone else. I began to focus more on my marriage and my kids that are growing so fast. Also, I put a timer on my Facebook so it will lock after a certain amount of minutes each day (this sounds excessive, I know) it’s a problem for me. But I realized I could not practice proper self-control without the help of a timer and getting rid of unnecessary things.

Sometimes we need the help from God and the Holy Spirit to be our timer or show us how to eliminate things that are not allowing us to have proper control over our situation or life. This can range from something very serious like alcoholism or drugs, or just to simply stop shopping for all those extra clothes you don’t need. God is there for us to just listen and allow us to talk to him like another human.

One of the best things you can do is put boundaries on situations that you want to gain more control over for yourself. Start with small boundaries and work your way up. You can’t be doing something a certain way for so long and expect it to completely change in one day. Your boundaries need to be easily obtainable and not set yourself up for failure. I have had to make some boundaries in my life that we’re small and simple and then some that were very hard to do with certain things. It’s possible, but you have to know what outcome you are wanting.

2 Peter 1:5-7 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

There is so much knowledge and important information on the fruits of the spirit. I challenge you to go look them each up and try to apply it to your life. It can only make it better!

Much love,
Charity