Journal Entry ~ 09/20/19

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

Finally, we get to self- control. Self-control is stopping. It is literally standing in the way of our enemies from having a hold on us. There are so many things in this world fighting against us - other people, our culture, our own flesh, or even Satan himself - and they do not always fight on the battlefield. These enemies are sly and manipulative, and they can take our hearts captive without us even noticing. 

Self-control is the fruit of the spirit that puts a boundary around our hearts and protects us. If we are regularly in the Word and in prayer, confessing our sin and asking the Holy Spirit to convict us and fill us, this fruit will become stronger. The Spirit will reveal our blind spots and give us conviction to resist temptation. 

Self control says no to the anxious thoughts, it says no to the fears because it says yes to quiet time in His Word. Self control says no to the food, or the shopping, or the drink because it says yes to confession and repentance. Self control says no to the anger or the frustration at things not going our way because it says yes to daily worship of our one true King. 

When we make the choice to be obedient to what He calls us to do, we find the Spirit strengthening our self control. The problem is far too often, we say no to those things - daily time in the Word, in prayer, and in worship, and we aware left with no strength to say no to the anxious or angry thoughts, to the food or to whatever other temptations that are placed in front of us. 

This is the fruit that I think requires the most discipline - we must stay on our knees and in His Word every day to keep our self-control strong. It's far too easy to get lazy, and give in to the temptations of the world if we're not. Be strong, and stand in the Spirit, my friends!  


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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