We continue covering the fruit of the Spirit, which are also “divinely powerful weapons.” In this Word for the Week, we will cover the last one listed in Galatians 5: “self-control.”
Why would “self-control” be named as a fruit of the Spirit? Isn’t that something we do? We must keep in mind that the Spirit is “the Helper,” not “the Doer.” He has been sent to help us, but not to do what we are responsible for doing. However, He does help us to develop these qualities so they are His fruit in our life.
It is written in Proverbs 25:28: “Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit.” In biblical times a city that did not have walls was wide open to being plundered by enemies and thieves. So are those who do not have self-control—they are wide open to being plundered and stolen from by the enemy.
Relationships are the most valuable treasures we have in this life. How many have been ruined by the lack of self-control? This causes things like outbursts of anger, saying things that cannot be taken back, or doing things that irreparably damage a relationship and sever us from those who would have been great treasures in our life. How has the lack of self-control kept us from promotions or positions we would have otherwise received? We will not know until the Judgment Day just how costly this one thing has been to us, but if this is a problem we have, there is no doubt the cost has been great.
The Apostle Paul writes about the qualifications for elders in Titus Chapter One, and “outbursts of anger” is one of the disqualifying characteristics for leadership in the church. Rage from those in leadership can do great damage, and this is something most quality organizations will not allow in their leaders or managers. Those who are prone to such a loss of control of their spirit are certainly not mature enough or secure enough to be leaders representing our King.
In Paul’s letter to Titus about the qualifications of elders he also lists being pugnacious as a disqualifying characteristic. This is to be prone to arguments, which is also revealing an immaturity that an elder cannot have. The mature and stable can debate with those who have differences without taking it personally and without getting impatient or offended with those who disagree. Those who cannot do this without it deteriorating into an argument are not demonstrating the maturity that one representing Christ as one of His leaders must have.
In Galatians 5:19-21 we have an even more serious reason why all Christians should not tolerate a lack of self-control in their life whether they are in leadership or not:
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, “idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
“envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Here we see that enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, and dissensions are listed with such things as immorality, sorcery, and drunkenness. We are also told that those who practice them will not inherit the kingdom of God. How much more serious could this be?
However, the above text does not say that those who have done these things will not inherit the kingdom, but those who “practice” them. Our battle with the carnal nature is a desperate and difficult one, and because we are still in this fight it does not mean that we are disqualified from the kingdom. What disqualifies us is when they become our practice, which means that we have surrendered to the old nature and no longer fight it, which no true follower of the Lord will do. We must never stop fighting, and we must take control of what we allow and do in our life.
© 2021 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.
