Fruit Worth Growing

It was a good feeling. Getting our financial information plugged into a new program that offered both budgeting tools, and goals for future wealth management. Knowing how our money is being spent gives us the opportunity to evaluate where changes need to be made. Oddly enough, although I sometimes fight against the discipline of tracking our spending, ultimately, it frees us up to set goals for future spending.

Early next year, we're considering taking a mission trip. I'm excited! We know approximately how much the trip will cost. We plan to save some money for this adventure. Being willing to spend less of our discretionary income will be much easier with this goal in mind. Self-control will play a key role.

Self-control is defined as "the act, power, or habit of having one's faculties or energies under control of the will," (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary, Vol. 1). Truth be told, it's a fruit of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self control): against such there is no law," (Galatians 5:22-23; KJV; italics mine).

Self-control is an important characteristic to display not only in financial matters, but in all areas of life. Since it's a fruit of the Spirit, it's vitally important that I stay in tune with Him. How do I do this? Again, the Apostle Paul, writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, shares the answer: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh," (Galatians 5:16). To walk in the Spirit, I need to be willing to submit to His ways.

When I struggle with self-control, I'm battling my natural desires and tendencies. My thoughts center around what I want now, and I forget about others and the more important long-term goals. Selfishness is evident, drawing attention to me - rather than self-control, pointing to the Spirit of God.

Self-control doesn't just happen. It's something that needs to be pursued. A discipline that needs to be developed. As an avid exerciser, I realize that in order to be fit, I need to develop both my muscles and my cardiovascular system. Just thinking about exercising is of no benefit. I actually have to put myself through some type of exercise routine to achieve my goal of being fit. The same is true for self-control. I need to practice implementing discipline in my life in order to see growth in this area. Paul puts it into perspective, "...and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come," (1 Timothy 4:7b-8).

The fruit of the Spirit develops as I allow Him to work in my life. The right elements cause it to 'ripen:' reading God's Word, praying, submitting to God's will. When I choose to use these tools for growth, self-control will be evident in my life!


How are you doing in the area of self-control? What step will you take today to make this fruit of the Spirit evident in your life?


Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. Help me to submit to Your will so self-control will be evident in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Boxing Match

Feelings. We all have them. Strong emotions that cause us to react. This morning I have to admit that I'm a bit sleepy. It's overcast and beginning to drizzle, and I'd like nothing more than to dive back into bed and let the rhythmic dripping of the rain lull me back to sleep. But I have things to accomplish today. I have a choice to make. Give in to my feelings and sleep the day away, or push those lazy feelings aside, and choose to be productive instead. Sounds like another area of discipline to me!

Let's face it. Sometimes I just don't feel like doing anything. My list of tasks may be a mile long, but my list of reasons for ignoring the list is longer. The struggle begins. My old nature desires comfort and convenience. Feelings are paramount. They do everything within their power to convince me that I have the right to do what I want to. After all, it's my life, isn't it?

My new nature rises to the challenge, reminding me that life isn't all about my comfort or convenience. A verse from God's word packs quite a punch, "...Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34; KJV). I imagine the heavenly hosts cheering, and I respond - "Take that, you good for nothing old nature!"

The fight is on. The old nature continues to box with everything she's got. Toying with my feelings. Trying to convince me that I'm my own master. Surely I don't have to deny myself all the time. After all, I deserve to be comfortable, don't I? What makes me feel good, IS good, isn't it? Doesn't God want me to be happy?

The battle heats up. The new nature responds with an uppercut that leaves the old nature reeling. I realize I am not my own, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

While the old nature bounces off the ropes, the new nature responds with a swift left hook that puts the old nature out of commission for a time. Jesus didn't die on the cross to purchase my happiness, but to pay my sin debt. I now have the incredible opportunity to fellowship with Him. "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" (Philippians 4:10).

It IS possible for me to bring my feelings under control. As a believer, I have access to every type of 'punch' that will render my old nature powerless. The key is remembering that I'm a child of the King and submitting my will to His agenda. Self-control is a direct product of yielding to the Holy Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22-23).

We were created with feelings and emotions. They are a very real part of how our Creator designed us. But they are not to control us. Lay them out before the Lord and pray for His wisdom to train you to respond properly to them. It's a battle. And you can be victorious!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me with feelings and emotions. I pray that You would open my eyes to the ways I've been deceived by them. Help me to submit my will to You, that I might reap the fruit of self-control in my life. I choose to walk with You, today. In Jesus' name, Amen.