Self-Control

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

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

If you are following Jesus, you are a branch and He is the vine. In John 15, Jesus tells His followers, a branch needs to be attached to the vine in order to be healthy and to produce fruit. And, as Jesus’ followers, we will produce spiritual fruit, as we remain in Him. 

Self-Control is one of the fruit that is given to followers of Jesus.

The Spirit of God gives freedom to Believers. Paul writes, “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial or constructive.” We are free to eat, drink, or do whatever for the glory of God (as long as it is beneficial or constructive). 

We are no longer slaves and controlled by our body, our desires, or the world. Instead, the Spirit of God has given us freedom from those things. And, even though we are free to do what we wish (in God’s will and if it is beneficial), we are still given the fruit to exercise self-control over it. 

The gift of self-control is like a rudder for a boat, a steering wheel for a car or a wall for a city. The boat, car, and city all have freedom, but the guides for their direction help keep them operating to the best of their intended purpose. 

To the Believer, this means we are to exercise self-control or moderation in eating, drinking, sleeping, working, playtime, etc. Whatever the Lord has given you freedom (inside of His Will), you are to provide healthy limits to it, so that you are free to worship God in what He has given you and so that you are currently using those freedoms to help you and others to operate to the best of our intended purposes. 

Your diet, habits, and hobbies are given to you as places of freedom to worship God in what He has given you. However, if you are not finding yourself doing or giving your best for God, then you may need to seek Him to see if there is an area that can help direct you to honor Him with a greater passion and ability. 

Remember, the branches produce fruit when they are attached to the vine. Jesus says, “remain in Me and I will remain in you” and those in Him will produce much fruit.