As we wrap up the Fruits of the Spirit devotionals we come to the end with the words self-control. When thinking about how these words relate to our lives a few ideas come to my mind.

Self-control when it comes to my words, actions, and behaviors toward other people. Self-control when it comes to managing my time and efforts efficiently and in a Godly way. Self-control when it comes to eating right, exercising, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Wow, self-control affects every area of my life. But once again, I will admit that sometimes managing self-control can be rather tricky and difficult, depending on the situation, person, or circumstance.

2 Peter 1:5-9 tells us, ⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

It’s up to us how we choose to react to a person, situation, or event. We can’t control how others treat us or how they might behave, but we can control our ways and actions. It is definitely not easy at times to turn the other cheek, to just walk away, or to keep your mouth shut when you feel like something really needs to be said – but that’s exactly what we are told to do, to have self-control which truly is a gift from the Holy Spirit. I pray this week we can focus on this gift and “practice it” so that it becomes even more natural than before. May the Lord give us words to speak so that we can glorify Him.

Prayer

God of Grace, we pray for self-control and the ability to treat others the way we want to be treated. Help us to keep calm hearts and tempers and to be an inspiration for those we come in contact with. Help us to take time in Your Word so that living with continuous self-control becomes a little easier and more natural each and every day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.