Fruit of the Spirit Self Control
Galatians 5 verses 22 and 23 list the 9 fruit of the Spirit and the last one
mentioned is Self-Control.
I find it interesting that self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, which to me,
means it is a character trait that needs to be developed and allowed to mature
in our lives.
What is self-control? The English word 'temperance' is a translation of the
Greek word egkrateia meaning 'self-control' or 'continence'. This word
egkrateia is derived from kratos, "strength", which is the Greek word translated
power in the second half of Ephesians 1:19,20. "and what is the exceeding
greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His
mighty power, which He worked in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead,
and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."
The same strength and power that raised Jesus from the dead, and exalted Him
in heaven, is available to us believers today as a fruit of the Spirit that we may
cultivate in our individual lives.
We serve our Lord and Friend, trusting Him to give us the desires of our hearts
and to provide us with the things we need. Believers are called to "be
temperate in all things" (1 Corinthians 9:25), including the time and attention
we devote to our God-given blessings; not giving more devotion to His
provision rather than to our Provider.
We believers are in the world, but we are not of the world. The fruit of
temperance enables us to develop so we live in this world and yet are not
conformed to it.
Apostle Paul knew the source of the fruit of temperance. Ephesians 3:16 "that
God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened
with might through His Spirit in your inner man."
And I pray "that He would unveil within you the unlimited riches of His glory
and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with His
divine might and explosive power". The Passion Translation
Kath
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