Self - Control - The Fruit of The Spirit

Having grown up in Trinidad, a country where kids playing soccer is an everyday occurrence, I can't help watching whenever my husband turns the channel to the World Cup Soccer games. But many times, my joy turns to dismay when I see players push and shove each other in an attempt to get the ball. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned marking and tackling and dribbling? Or better still, what happened to good old-fashioned self-control?  The players who push and shove know they are breaking the rules, yet when the referee raises his hand, they protest.

It's not much different when we allow ourselves to respond to someone in a harsh or sarcastic way, or to try to get even with someone whom we perceive has wronged us. Lack of self-control has serious consequences. In the case of the soccer player, it can result in the other team  scoring a goal and winning the game.

But lack of self-control goes much deeper than winning or losing a game. It can change the whole direction of our lives. It causes people to do things they wouldn't normally do, like consuming alcohol in excess, overspending, using illegal substances, and making poor choices. It can even lead to road rage, which can result in someone's death.

Do you need self-control? Of course you do. We all do. But temptation lurks around every corner. Remember the story of how Peter cut off the soldier's ear? That was a classic case of a lack of self-control. Peter saw the soldier about to arrest Jesus, so he pulled out his sword and cut off the man's ear. Read John 18: 10. Fortunately, Jesus restored it.

Much later, after Jesus had left this earth and Peter had received the Holy Spirit, he became a changed man. He wrote, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3: 15).  

The Holy Spirit is the Member of the Trinity who molds and shapes us into what God intends us to be. If you find that you lack self-control ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to help you exhibit this fruit in your life.                                     


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Gal. 5: 22 - 23

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