The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is Self-Control?
Self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. It refers to our ability to control our desires, emotions, and behaviors in order to live godly lives and resist sin. Self-control is crucial for every Christian in order to follow God’s will, avoid temptation, and grow in spiritual maturity.
Definition of Self-Control
Self-control can be defined as the ability to control one’s emotions, desires, and behaviors. It involves restraining our impulses, passions, and reactions in order to act in a thoughtful, prudent manner according to God’s will. Self-control enables believers to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit rather than the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-23). It empowers Christians to pursue holiness and righteousness in their lives.
The Greek word for self-control in Galatians 5:23 is “egkrateia”, which means “power over oneself” or “self-mastery.” A person with self-control has the strength to overcome behaviors and desires that would lead them into sin. They are able to prioritize godly principles above fleshly cravings. Self-control is not about sheer willpower as much as it is about submitting our will to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to empower our self-restraint.
The Importance of Self-Control
The Bible makes it clear that self-control is vital for several reasons:
1. It enables us to resist temptation – Self-control helps believers say “no” to sinful desires and temptations from the enemy (1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Timothy 2:22). We are better equipped to avoid lust, greed, gluttony, pride, and other enticements when we exercise self-mastery under the Spirit’s direction.
2. It helps us walk in obedience to God – A lack of self-control causes people to become “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4). Self-control prevents our passions and cravings from interfering with following the Lord and adhering to His standards. It helps us submit to God’s will rather than our own.
3. It produces spiritual fruit – Exercising self-control helps cultivate other fruits of the Spirit in our lives, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). As we become more self-disciplined under the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we will exhibit more spiritual maturity.
4. It enables wise living – Self-control promotes prudent living that avoids excess and extremes. A person with self-mastery exhibits sober judgment and sound decision making that honors God. They are reliable, measured, and sensible in how they conduct themselves.
5. It lends itself to an effective witness – When Christians have self-restraint in their speech, conduct, and interactions it strengthens their Gospel witness. They avoid hypocrisy and behaviors that would repel nonbelievers. Self-control helps believers be “salt and light” and ambassadors for Christ (Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:20).
What the Bible Says About Self-Control
The Bible offers much insight about self-control and its importance for godly living. Here are some key passages:
Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. This verse explains how people without self-mastery are vulnerable and exposed, like a fallen city ready for invasion. Self-control offers protection.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – Paul emphasizes self-control being crucial for success, using the example of an athlete training and competing to win a prize. Believers must similarly discipline themselves to live for eternal rewards.
2 Peter 1:5-6 – Peter exhorts Christians to supplement their faith with self-control, along with moral excellence, knowledge, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. This demonstrates self-restraint being essential for maturity.
Proverbs 16:32 – Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. This underscores how demonstrating self-mastery shows true power and strength.
Titus 2:11-13 – The grace of God teaches believers to live self-controlled, upright lives as they await Christ’s return. God’s grace empowers self-restraint.
1 Corinthians 6:12 – Paul warns believers to not allow anything to master them. As temples of the Holy Spirit, Christians should exercise self-control over desires and behaviors.
How to Grow in Self-Control
Since self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, growing in this area is a process that requires cooperating with God to cultivate self-mastery. Here are some ways to strengthen self-discipline:
1. Spend time reading and meditating on Bible verses about self-control – Passages like Proverbs 25:28, 2 Peter 1:5-6, Titus 2:11-13, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, and Galatians 5:22-23 will encourage self-restraint.
2. Pray daily for God’s help in exercising self-control – Ask Him for more of the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to say “no” to sin and “yes” to righteousness. Self-mastery requires dependence on divine strength.
3. Examine any areas where you struggle with self-indulgence – Do you tend to overeat, overspend, overuse screens, etc.? Identify personal weaknesses.
4. Replace self-indulgent habits with self-controlled alternatives – If you struggle with overeating, adopt a structured meal plan. If you overspend, use a budget. Replace weaknesses with disciplined habits.
5. Avoid tempting situations that inflame your areas of weakness – Don’t put yourself in compromising positions where cravings are ignited. Use caution and wisdom.
6. Get accountability from other believers – Share your struggles with mature Christians who will pray for you and encourage your progress in self-control. Meeting regularly keeps you focused.
7. Keep your eyes on eternal rewards – Remembering that giving into sinful desires leads to spiritual destruction, while self-restraint reaps eternal blessings, fuels motivation (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
8. Rely on the Holy Spirit each day – Self-control does not come from mere willpower but from walking in the Spirit. Submitting to His leading is key.
The Danger of Lacking Self-Control
It is very dangerous for Christians when self-control is absent. A lack of self-discipline can lead believers into all kinds of sin and spiritual pitfalls:
– Addictions – An inability to restrain appetites and cravings can make people vulnerable to addictions to drugs, alcohol, pornography and other vices. This leads to personal destruction.
– Financial issues – Lacking control over spending habits and impulses often results in crippling debt, bankruptcy and money problems. Self-discipline is key to wise stewardship.
– Damaged relationships – When we cannot control our anger, emotions or tongue, relationships suffer. Reckless words and behaviors breed hurt and discord. Restraint prevents relational wounds.
– Hypocrisy – A person who lacks self-mastery contradicts their Christian witness through imprudent behaviors. This makes the Gospel unattractive to unbelievers.
– Destructive habits – An undisciplined life leads to unhealthy behaviors that cause bodily harm and sickness. These habits hinder one’s service to God.
The bottom line is that self-control is necessary to avoid sin and its consequences. Believers who lack self-restraint will experience many spiritual problems and become unfruitful for God’s kingdom. We must seek the Holy Spirit’s help in exercising self-mastery.
Examples of Self-Control in the Bible
The Bible offers many examples of godly men and women demonstrating self-control by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can learn from their righteous conduct:
Joseph – He resisted the temptation to sin sexually with Potiphar’s wife, running away from her advances (Genesis 39). His self-mastery honored God.
Daniel – He practiced self-discipline by eating healthy food and refusing the king’s rich diet against God’s standards (Daniel 1). Daniel stayed faithful in his convictions.
Paul – The apostle exercised intense self-control and discipline to further the Gospel despite suffering and hardships (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). He finished his race well.
Mary and Joseph – They showed sexual restraint and self-control until after Christ was born, obeying God’s law (Matthew 1:18-25).
Jesus – Though tempted fiercely, Christ demonstrated perfect self-control in always obeying the Father and never sinning once (Hebrews 4:15).
How to Exhibit Self-Control in Key Areas
In addition to generally surrendering to the Holy Spirit, believers should exercise self-restraint in specific areas where it is often lacking:
– Controlling one’s tongue – Don’t speak rashly in anger; avoid gossip, lies, and slander (James 3:5-8; Proverbs 21:23).
– Sexual purity – Flee from lust and fornication. Save sexuality for biblical marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
– Moderation in eating and drinking – Practice moderation and self-discipline by avoiding gluttony and drunkenness (Proverbs 23:20-21; Philippians 4:5).
– Wisely managing money – Make budgets and spending plans to curtail excessive buying and wastefulness (Proverbs 21:20; Luke 14:28).
– Proper use of time – Don’t waste time; be disciplined in using time well for God’s purposes (Ephesians 5:15-16; Psalm 90:12).
– Controlling emotions – Manage feelings maturely rather than reacting hastily and allow peace to prevail (James 1:19-20; Ecclesiastes 7:9).
Relying on the Holy Spirit’s help, Christians should exhibit self-mastery in these areas to honor God and grow in spiritual maturity. Self-control should be evident in both public and private life.
How Self-Control Brings Blessings
When believers follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting to exercise self-restraint, they reap wonderful blessings that impact their lives and walk with God. Here are some of the fruits of living a self-controlled life:
– A strong Christian testimony – Self-disciplined behavior strengthens a believer’s witness and attracts people to Christ.
– Freedom from sin’s slavery – Self-mastery helps people avoid sinful addictions that destroy lives and relationships.
– The Lord’s favor – God blesses those who demonstrate self-control by making wise, righteous choices.
– Spiritual growth – As believers embrace self-denial and obedience, they grow to be more Christlike.
– Relational harmony – Controlling anger and the tongue promotes peaceful relations free of strife and discord.
– Protection from harm – Self-discipline prevents the physical dangers of overindulgence and addiction.
– Eternal rewards – Exercising heavenly wisdom through self-control reaps eternal riches in heaven.
When believers walk in Spirit-empowered self-control, they enjoy foretastes of the blessings waiting in eternity. Self-mastery benefits our lives now and forever.
Praying for Self-Control
As believers seek to grow in self-mastery, earnest prayer is absolutely essential. Here are some helpful ways to pray:
– Ask God to fill you afresh with His Holy Spirit daily – It is only through the Spirit’s empowerment that victory over the flesh is possible.
– Pray for grace and strength to resist temptation – Plea for divine help in times of testing; claim the way of escape provided in 1 Corinthians 10:13.
– Request wisdom for avoiding compromising situations – Seek discernment to steer clear of temptations that inflame your weaknesses. Ask God to show you pitfalls.
– Seek accountability relationships – Pray for mature Christian friends who will check on your spiritual growth and keep you focused on Christ.
– Petition the Lord to align your heart fully with Him – Pray to delight in God’s ways so obedience flows from love, not mere duty. Ask to serve God wholeheartedly.
– Thank God in advance for the self-control He provides each day – Have faith that He will supply all needed grace and self-mastery.
As we pray these kinds of prayers continually, the Holy Spirit develops His fruit of self-control more and more in our lives. This equips us to exemplify Christ-honoring restraint and discipline for God’s glory.
In conclusion, self-control is a vital component of the Spirit-filled life. Though achieving consistent self-mastery can be challenging in a culture of excess, the diligent believer can make progress through relying on supernatural strength from the Holy Spirit. God calls us to pursue holiness and spiritual maturity by taming our tongues, fleeing lust, acting prudently in all decisions, and bringing all areas of life under the control of the Spirit. Blessed is the one who embraces self-denial by taking up their cross and following Christ daily. Our Lord is ever-ready to empower our self-discipline, transforming us into faithful ambassadors of His kingdom.