Fruit of the Spirit: What is Self-Control?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22,23)
This is the last of the nine elements in the fruit of the Spirit.
Dictionary Definition: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions or desires
In Acts 24:24-26, the Apostle Paul is talking to Felix about faith in Christ. He explained what this meant. We are told that he spoke on three topics: righteousness, self-control and judgment. So, for Paul, self-control is an essential part of the Christian message.
Titus 1:3-9 lists requirements for church leadership. One of these is self-control.
The Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-9 gives us building blocks for the Christian life. He says that self-control is built upon knowledge. Perseverance or patience is built upon self-control. Peter teaches us that self-control is one requirement to being effective and productive as a believer.
Paul compares the Christian walk to being an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In verse 25, the phrase "goes into strict training" could be translated "practices self-control." For an athlete to be successful, he or she must control themselves. Many of the actions required to be a champion go against a person's natural impulses, emotions and desires. Paul says that he did the same in order to win the prize that Christ had for him.
Self-control is essential for a Christian who wants to faithfully serve the Lord.
This is the last of the nine elements in the fruit of the Spirit.
Dictionary Definition: restraint exercised over one's own impulses, emotions or desires
In Acts 24:24-26, the Apostle Paul is talking to Felix about faith in Christ. He explained what this meant. We are told that he spoke on three topics: righteousness, self-control and judgment. So, for Paul, self-control is an essential part of the Christian message.
Titus 1:3-9 lists requirements for church leadership. One of these is self-control.
The Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-9 gives us building blocks for the Christian life. He says that self-control is built upon knowledge. Perseverance or patience is built upon self-control. Peter teaches us that self-control is one requirement to being effective and productive as a believer.
Paul compares the Christian walk to being an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In verse 25, the phrase "goes into strict training" could be translated "practices self-control." For an athlete to be successful, he or she must control themselves. Many of the actions required to be a champion go against a person's natural impulses, emotions and desires. Paul says that he did the same in order to win the prize that Christ had for him.
Self-control is essential for a Christian who wants to faithfully serve the Lord.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 5:34 AM
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