The Fruit of the Spirit - Pt. 9

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25 ESV).

 

Today we come to the end of our reflections on the fruit of the Spirit. The final characteristic the Apostle Paul gives us is “self-control.” In the apostle’s discussion here, we can see that self-control is very important for helping us turn away from “the desires of the flesh.” But we may wonder, How can we actually practice self-control? How can we turn away from all the sins and “actions of the flesh” that are listed here? Are we strong enough to control our sinful desires on our own? Of course, the answer is no. In order to achieve a measure of self-control we need the power of God the Holy Spirit to guide us.

 

The self-control that Paul is talking about is not accomplished by the power of our old, sinful self. It can only be accomplished in the power of the new self that we receive through the finished work of Jesus Christ begun as we are born again and continued throughout our sanctification. It is a journey that often requires some hard lessons of discipleship. It always requires our dependence on the grace of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

 

With the new life of the Spirit in us, we have a new self that is led by the Spirit. And because we are led by the Spirit, we can “keep in step with the Spirit.” Like a tree or a vine with the life of the Spirit in us, we can bear “the fruit of the Spirit” such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

 

I am well aware of the great challenge presented by this list of characteristics to be desired and practiced. I am also well acquainted with the high bar it is to overcome our natural inclinations of the flesh choosing the opposite of these in our behavior toward people and circumstances that are difficult. Please be encouraged by the truth that you are not alone in your effort. Let us pray for one another as we become more like Him in all that we do.