Copyright 2001 by Debbie Porter 

Right now, at this very moment, I'm about to share with you one of the most profound and yet simplest of truths that may ever be revealed regarding self-control within the Christian life. I can guarantee that if this truth is applied, it will be revolutionary.

Are you ready?

I'll give you a moment to grab a pen and paper, because you may want to take notes. This is breakthrough, life-changing information.

Drum roll please! Here it comes:

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! (A standing ovation would be appreciated)

Sorry? What was that? Controlling yourself isn't easy? Well no, of course it isn't. I never said it was, just that it was a simple truth. If it were easy, we wouldn't find it so hard to do, would we?

Maybe this article won't be quite as short as I first led you to believe. (You can show your self-control by not groaning, thank you!)

Here we are at the final fruit of the Spirit and it really is a case of last, but definitely not least.

This fruit is translated as "temperance" in the King James Version, yet the meaning is best understood as "self-control". Temperance, by today's standards, tends to have more to do with controlling certain specific desires. Yet self-control covers everything.

Basically, to exhibit self-control is to use restraint in our passions, desires, impulses and behavior. At times it may be a little like a mother standing firm while her toddler throws a tantrum in the confectionary aisle of the local supermarket. How easy it is to give in to the child and keep the peace. Yet, a wise parent knows that to always give the child every treat it demands isn't good training for life.

The same is true regarding our emotions, passions and impulses. If we continually allow ourselves to follow every desire and whim, before long the fruit of an undisciplined and self-centered life will begin to show.

The Wisdom of Solomon says it so well:

If we fail to take control of our body and soul, we leave ourselves wide open to attack and hardship. It isn't a question of whether a fall will happen, but rather, when it will happen.

Although this is just my personal opinion, I can't help but believe that this fruit is foundational for all the others. Each fruit will develop as we walk with the Holy Spirit. Yet without self-control I seriously doubt that the other virtues will ever fully ripen. How can we possibly have an abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and gentleness, if our "self" is running rampant? In order to know the fullness of these qualities of God in our lives, self must submit.

A self-controlled life is a disciplined life, and perhaps that's sometimes easy to overlook in our modern society. Yet, this fact is as relevant and vital for us as 21^st Century disciples as it was for those of the 1^st Century.

As with most things though, there must be balance. It can be very easy to swing the pendulum too far in the opposite direction and become so controlled that we're lifeless, emotionless and bland.

There's a place for passion in the Christian life. Christ was passionate about life, people and the Father.

There's a place for emotions. Jesus openly wept, showed joy, and was righteously angry.

There's a place for desire. Christ's main desire was to do the will of the Father.

So in controlling ourselves we have to understand that the feeling isn't necessarily the problem, but the intention and focus may be.

But the question remains, how do we as individuals manage to control ourselves, given that many of us are at times quite unself-controlled? Isn't it a bit like leaving a child to decide whether to eat his vegetables or go straight to the cookies and ice cream? Unfortunately, that quite often is the problem, but it doesn't have to be if we do just four things:

1. First of all, we need to be willing. If we aren't prepared to bring discipline into our lives, then we're finished before we even start. We have to want God's perfect will to be done, with our attitudes and lifestyle reflecting that in every way.

2. Then we have to ensure that our spirit is tuned in to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. That means clearing all the static and disturbances off the line and taking time to listen. Remember, self-control is a fruit that comes as we walk in step with the Holy Spirit

3. We need to re-train our thinking so that it comes into line with God's Word. A self-controlled life is an obedient life.

4. Lastly, we need to understand that we're children of grace. That may seem a little confusing amidst this talk of discipline and training, yet Paul explained it very well when he wrote:

It's only as we get a revelation of God's amazing grace toward us that we'll really want to respond with a self-controlled life. How can we do less?

So even though self-control is about controlling ourselves, the good news is that as Holy Spirit empowered believers, we don't have to do it all on our own.

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