~ Self-Control Is A Necessary
Ingredient Of All Fruits Of The Spirit ~
Overview Scripture ~ “For
you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness,
righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works
of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).
Series Scripture ~ “But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25). It is important to note that while this
passage lists nine fruits of the Spirit it is not a complete list—which includes
“all goodness, righteousness, and truth”
as seen above in Ephesians 5.
Comment ~ This
list started with “love” which we mentioned is key since all these other traits
will tend to flow naturally if there is pure Godly love within. This list of nine of the fruits of the Spirit
ends with “self-control” which is clearly a needed ingredient if we are to be
consistent in the first eight traits.
Natural Man
~ Do you exercise your self-control
negatively against submission to God’s will for your life? Or are you using self-control to be
controlled by the Spirit of God?
“Therefore submit to
God. Resist
the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near
to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament
and mourn and weep! Let your
laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:7-10).
~
Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT
LIFE NOW blog.
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