Self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit. Without self-control, you won’t operate in the fullness of the spirit. Jesus taught self-control by showing us how to deal with the serpent. He told us to love our neighbors. We are even to love our enemies, and pray for those who are persecuting us. Self-control puts you into a different mindset that this world does not offer. This world teaches a self-centered life while the Kingdom teaches a selfless life. It is from self-control that your strength comes. Your strength is in the Lord, not yourself.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
One thing that I am learning is that without self-control your heart will be hardened toward the Lord. Something happens to you and you blame Him for it. That is being self-centered. How can you always be joyful in the Lord, rejoicing when you are blaming Him? Do you see how temperamental this is in your walk with Jesus? You are to be one with Him. If it happens to you, it’s happening to Him. Ask Him what to do in this situation. He is the One walking through all of this. If you don’t lean on Him, but on your own understanding, how can He guard your heart and mind? If we are to be sons of God, then we need to learn to walk with the Son.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
If you truly love Jesus, then you will walk with Him, learn from Him, and trust Him with all your heart. Most people want to be in control of their life. This might sound scary to not have control, but it’s the best way for others to see that you are walking with Jesus. Remember, Enoch walked with God, Noah walked with God, Abraham walked with God, Jesus walked with God, and we are to do the same. This will be the biggest impact on your life. I have had everything taken away from me to see if I am for real. The enemy did attack my family, home, and finances, but I count it all lost for the knowledge of Christ. If you walk with Jesus, you are humbling yourself and He will raise you in due time for His glory. Not many want to go through this hardship. Many are called, but few are chosen. Be blessed, my friends.
Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,