Live Juicy – A 10-Week Study of the Fruit of the Spirit – Week Ten – Self-Control

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28

The Pink House

I once lived in a neighborhood where someone had painted their house what I would consider a hideous pink color. It stuck out like a sore thumb, and you couldn’t help but notice it. As a member of the Board of Directors to our Homes Association, I was privy to the story behind the pink house. The HOA received many calls and complaints, asking if there was anything we could do. The owners of the pink house, when asked, shared the reason for the color; it was to make their neighbors suffer. The owners of the pink house choose a hideous color to get even with their feuding neighbors.

Lack of self-control numbs our common sense, blinds us to forgiveness, and can damage community, relationships, and self-respect. Have you experienced damage in one of these areas because of your lack of self-control? I know I have.

The Greek word for self-control is egkrateia, which speaks to restraining passions and appetites. It requires temperance, and self-control. The opposite of this word is akrasia, which means excess and self-indulgence. It appears the pink house owners acted out of akrasia.

Self-Control or Self-Defeat?

The power to live with control or defeat, lies within ourselves.  We are in a constant battle with the flesh, the world, and Satan. Christ has given us victory in each of these areas. As Beth Moore says, “Only self can re-extend authority to one of these three enemies.”

Our choices have invited the enemy into many places in our lives we would prefer not to have him. The best way to solve this problem is to create boundaries, or walls, that keep the unwanted out in the first place.

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28

Without self-control, we are self-defeated and living in a city with no walls. Without walls in our lives to protect us, we cannot fully enjoy the freedom to love others, have joy and peace in our hearts, extend patience, be kind and good, live a faithful life and gently humble ourselves before the Lord.

Time to Repair the Walls

Perhaps, like me, you have been in a long, tiring battle with self-control and feel like it is too late, you are too far gone, and all hope is lost. It is my desire, that you, like me, have also experienced a transformation over the past nine weeks as we have been in prayer to realize the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14

The good news is that just like all the other fruit of the Spirit, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that changes us.  It is not up to us to fix what is broken. We are not self-led on this journey. As captives of our own sin, Christ leads us in a triumphal procession and uses us, even in our broken state, to further His Kingdom.

Isaiah 58:12, calls God the Repairer of broken walls, and the Restorer of streets with dwellings. We have the hope of starting fresh and gaining the victory, even over the one area in your life you believe is impossible to defeat. With God, all things are possible.

Conclusion

The fruit of the Spirit is not automatic. We must be intentional about keeping in step with the Spirit.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:25

The Spirit produces Christ’s character traits in us. We cannot get them without His help. If we want the fruit to bear witness in our lives, we must align our lives to His.

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

When we know, love, remember, and imitate the Lord, we can bear much fruit. Do not be discouraged if your fruit is not perfect; remember this whole process is a ongoing journey with the aid of the Holy Spirit.

I hope you have enjoyed this series. Writing it has certainly challenged me. God is so good to teach us with His kind and gentle Spirit.

Heavenly Father, in my flesh, I cannot do what you have modeled for me to do. Without you leading, I will get lost. But in the Spirit, I am more than able to live as you have shown me. Thank you for bearing fruit in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It might interest you to check out some of my devotions on the Spiritual Disciplines:

The Spiritual Discipline of Silence and Solitude

The Spiritual Discipline of Gratitude

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