Applying Self-Control to Every Fruit of the Spirit

Although self-control begins with the word self, we ourselves can’t nurture it, much less muster up the power to practice it—applying it to our lives.

Because self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.

I’d heard about the “freshman fifteen.” But I set out with ample willpower to avoid gaining fifteen pounds as I entered my first year in college.

And you know what? I didn’t gain fifteen pounds. Instead, I gained a little more. Yikes! 

But here’s something we often fail to understand about self-control from a biblical perspective. 

We don’t possess the power to practice self-control, it comes only through the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5 encourages us to walk by the Spirit, not to gratify the desires of the flesh (verse 16).

And the chapter provides a list of fleshly desires such as drunkenness, sexual immorality, impurity, rivalry, strife, jealousy, anger, divisions, dissensions, envy, enmity, sensuality “and things like these” (verses 19-21).

But here’s the stark opposite to the works of the flesh. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

I’ve often wondered why self-control is listed last.

Perhaps self-control is partly gained from allowing the Holy Spirit to grow and cultivate in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. 

So let’s compare and contrast the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit through reflective questions and thoughts.

Applying self-control: love over jealousy and envy.

In what areas do I see jealousy and envy in my life? Ask the Holy Spirit to give me self-control to really love others, even enemies, instead of harboring jealousy. This type of love only comes through a relationship with the Lover of my soul.

In what areas do I see jealousy and envy in my life? Ask the Holy Spirit to give me self-control to really love others, even enemies, instead of harboring jealousy. Share on X

Self-control desires true joy instead of false joy. 

Fake joy numbs the pain through alcohol/drunkenness, emotional eating, drugs, including prescription drug abuse, shopping, and so on. How am I currently self-medicating? Ask the Spirit to give me true joy.

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3 Ways We Follow Jesus With Complete Abandon

How do we follow Jesus with complete abandon and what does it look like in daily life? 

Because I’ve been following Jesus since sixteen, but I continue to desire to learn how to live it out.

And following Jesus with complete abandon means letting go of—abandoning—all other earthly treasures and idols for Jesus Himself. I follow Jesus and abandon me.

So let’s look at 3 major ways we follow Jesus with abandon and how it affects our life.

(1.) Following Jesus with Complete Abandon: Count the Cost

To come to Christ costs us nothing. But to be a true disciple of Christ costs us everything.

But nothing to everything commands a sizable leap, especially for a college freshman like me with only two years of following Jesus.

Yet, I wanted to jump into every aspect of the Christian life. Still, living on a university campus at eighteen became a whole new world. Since I desired to grow in my faith, I participated in several Christian student groups; Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU).

But I knew the basics about God and eternal life. I understood the great cost to God by sending His Son to take my place on the cross. Jesus gave His life as payment for mine. 

To follow Christ with complete abandonment cost us something. 

Costs like:

• Giving up going our own way. 
• Laying down our personal agenda.
• Trading our kingdom come for God’s Kingdom come. Even when my way feels good or my agenda seems right, my kingdom often crumbles.

Counting the cost equals freedom. A place of completion. Giving it all for the sake of the call.

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Hey Friend: Grace Changes Everything 

Hey friend, did you know that grace changes everything?

The Lord has me thinking about grace lately. How it’s the foundation our faith is built on. And how God gives us this gift—His love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ.

Because grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)

Since grace changes everything, it changes who we are. It changes our eternal destiny. Also, grace changes how the Lord sees us—under grace, no longer condemned by the enemy or sin.

I’m not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace, amazing grace.

I'm not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace, amazing grace. Share on X

Here are 5 ways G.R.A.C.E. changes our lives.

G – God paid the price: Grace Changes Everything

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Pleading the Blood of Jesus Christ

Pleading the blood started thousands of years ago with God’s people.

But it has more to do with us today than you might think.

First, let’s rewind to the past. A powerful Bible story describes much blood being spilt.

In Exodus 12, the Israelites put blood from a lamb without blemish on two doorposts and the panel above the door of each house.

The Lord’s Passover.

The lamb’s blood provided protection from the final plague. God brought plagues on Pharaoh and the land of Egypt for refusing to release His people from slavery. This particular plague meant every firstborn male, people and animals, would die.

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exodus 12:13 (ESV)

After that fatal night, Pharaoh let the people go. And the Lord instructed His people to celebrate the Passover every year.

Blood of the Perfect Lamb of God

Years later, a perfect Lamb without spot or blemish once again provided passover blood. Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children. Physical death may strike, but spiritual death cannot touch those in Christ.

Jesus, God’s Son, willingly gave His life and blood for spiritual death to passover God’s children. Physical death may strike, but spiritual death cannot touch those in Christ. Share on X Read More…

Believing God Works All Things for Our Good

We believe God works all things for our good, until we don’t.

Because those “until we don’t” reasons include things like tragedy, sickness, loss, unimaginable grief, fizzled dreams, and so on. 

And let’s get really honest here. Life happens and life is full of ups and downs.

So it’s easy to listen to the enemy’s lies during the down-times. Satan’s lies claim God doesn’t have our good in mind. Or else He would not have let this thing happen to us.

But even when I’m at the end of my rope, I know God is good, does good, and works behind the scenes for my good. I may not understand the whys or what He is doing, but it doesn’t change who God is or His good nature. 

Our circumstances never change God’s goodness.

So let’s remind our hearts of the Bible verse containing this promise.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

Notice the promise is not that all things are good, but all the things work toward our good.

God Works All Things: The Promise of Good

God has promised good to us. 

The Lord has plans for our good, now and in our future. 

Since the beginning of time, God weaved His goodness throughout the chapters of His-story. It started with creation when He saw everything He made was good. 

We see God’s goodness when He rescued His people. Goodness revealed in Bethlehem’s stable and narrated in Jesus’ ministry. Goodness told at the foot of a bloody cross and reported as Victor in an empty tomb.

Also, we see His goodness in our lives. We are living testimonies to God’s goodness. God is good and does good. (Psalm 119:68)

Even when I'm at the end of my rope, I know God is good, does good, and works behind the scenes for my good. I may not understand the whys or what He is doing, but it doesn’t change who God is or His good nature.  Share on X Read More…