The Fruit of the Holy Spirit - Chapter 13
Self-control
We come now to the last fruit in Paul’s list in Galatians chapter 5, it is the fruit of temperance or self-control.
The word ‘‘temperance’’ implies ‘‘mastery’’ or ‘‘power over’’ and so comes to mean power over ourselves, that is, self-control or self-mastery. Its meaning is shown clearly in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 25, where Paul says that every athlete, or everyone who competes in the games, is temperate in all things or exercises self-control in every area of his life.
Paul describes this more fully in verse 27. Various translations say it in different ways. Here are two: ‘
‘I keep under my body and bring it into subjection’’ or ‘‘I beat my body and make it my slave’’. Do please note here that Paul is not speaking literally but figuratively when he uses the expression ‘‘I beat my body’’. He is speaking about self-control which is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
Peter also says that self-control is important in spiritual growth. In 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 6 he says we must add self-control to knowledge. You find the same thought in Proverbs chapter 16 verse 32 where Solomon says, ‘‘He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city’’. Here again it is clear that self-control is very important.
Let us look, then, a little more closely at what self-control means, and how it works out in our Christian lives.
First of all it is interesting to notice that it is not only in Christian living that self-control is important. We need it in all walks of life. If we are going to do well in business or sport we have to exercise this discipline, and give our whole time and strength to it. We have to deny ourselves other things so that we may concentrate on the purpose we have in mind.
If it is in sport we have to practice hard and refuse to do what will make us less fit. If it is playing a musical instrument we have to keep at it for many hours. If it is in business we have to give our whole attention to it, finding ways to make it prosper. Now it is just the same in our life with God. We must have the right aim and motive in being the Lord’s people. Sadly, there are many Christians who want to belong to the Lord but who put excitement and success first in their lives.
These are not the most important things. Of course, the Lord wants His people to have peace and joy in their lives, but the most important thing is to please Him, to do His will, and to allow Him to fulfil His purpose in us.
If we are going to do this, the whole of our being must be handed over to Him to be rules by Him. In letting God rule we must work together with Him.
There is more than one part to human nature. There is the spiritual part of us which has fellowship and communion with God. Then there is the physical part of us with all its feelings and needs, and its physical energy and strength. But there is also that part of us which thinks and which has various emotions.
We can have joy and peace and love for others and the desire to help them. But we can also hate and worry and feel bitterness and resentment.
While we have to seek to keep our bodies in good health by the way we eat, sleep and take the exercise and relaxation we need, we must not forget that the emotional and spiritual parts of us are also very important.
We live in a world that has been ruined by man’s sinfulness and the activities of Satan over thousands of years. All kinds of evil things are constantly invading our thoughts, feelings and desires. This is where we need the help of the Holy Spirit to exercise self-control.
We must check wrong and unkind thoughts that come into our minds. We must not allow emotions and desires to get hold of us too strongly, so that our minds and bodies become slaves instead of being in control.
The tongue is another part of us which needs strong control. James has a lot to say about this in his letter. In chapter 3 he says, among other things, that ‘‘The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we praise the lord and curse men, and out of it comes good and evil, and this ought not to be’’.
If we allow the Lord to cleanse our hearts, and then we use self-control, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can check the wrong or thoughtless word before it is spoken.
Remember that once the wrong or bitter word has been said, nothing can bring it back. Once it leaves your mouth, you cannot stop it doing its evil work. This is why we must let the Holy Spirit control our tongues.
Then self-control is necessary in our life of fellowship with God. It is not always easy to find the time and place for daily prayer and Bible reading. It is essential to do it, though, and to make sure that we have our time of fellowship with the Lord.
It sometimes needs determination not to miss this time of fellowship but we cannot do without it, and the results make any sacrifice worthwhile. It is as necessary to our spiritual lives as food, drink and fresh air are to our bodies.
As we come to the end of this series of studies, let me sum up what we have learned.
We have been considering Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-23, and in them Paul has been speaking about those characteristics of true Christian living which he rightly describes as ‘‘The Fruit of the Spirit’’.
They are fruit because God planted them in us when we came to trust and know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. In some measure they started to grow when we trusted Christ and received eternal life.
But we have to care for them just as we do natural fruit. We care for them by aiming only to please the Lord. We care for them, too, by abiding in Christ, by obeying Him and letting Him do with us all that He wants to do. You can read about ‘‘fruit bearing’’ in John’s Gospel chapter 15.
May this fruit of the Spirit grow and flourish in our lives so that we may bring joy and gladness to the Lord Himself.