For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a Spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Which Spirit did you receive from God? Did you think this referred to the spirit you were created with or is it another Spirit? If it is the Spirit of God then the power, love, and self-control is from above and not from us. So how does that fruit of self-control work differently than our own self-control? How does the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) work into our lives? Do you actually understand that which He wants to grow in your life? Do you know the depth of that fruit He is trying to instill in your life? Do you know what each fruit of the Spirit planted in you does and takes to be allowed to flower, bud, and grow into a fruit in your life?
What exactly is this fruit of self-control of the Spirit of God? This has been a discussion in my little group of late. Here are some of the definitions given by some of the participants as they worked through this exercise.
“Self-control is the Spirit-formed discipline of staying governable before God, so that our lives become more responsive to His Voice than to our own impulses, wounds, preferences, or habits.”
“Self-control, yielded to the Holy Spirit, trains us toward a faith-governed way of living.”
“True self-control kills pride because it keeps revealing dependence (on Him).”
For me Spirit led self-control is the ability to hear Him in the moment a decision is needed, and I surrender my wishes and will to His will and path and direction for me at that moment. Are we so attuned to His voice and wishes throughout our entire day as we ‘walk and talk’, and work and converse with Him, that when He makes a suggestion to us … we immediately agree with Him and go (obey) in the direction He is telling us to? That to me … is what I’m learning is the fruit of the Spirit of self-control. Not my way but His, and the ability to recognize that and go in His direction instead of my natural way of doing things.
If we are anywhere closer to understanding this fruit of the Spirit of self-control … then it is FAR different than what we all thought it was. God’s ways and fruit are NOT our ways and fruit. This is the place we are being molded into His image. We are being changed by the Spirit of God as much as we allow Him to do so in our lives. Are you inviting Him to change you? Have you prayed that dangerous but necessary prayer of surrender to Him?
Are you digging deep into the scripture with Him as He is bringing it to your remembrance? Is He teaching you through that scripture / story / parable? Are you really a disciple of His? Are you purposely looking to be taught by Him? Are you surrendering to Him daily? Are you periodically and purposely pushing your ‘pause’ button and refocusing on Him during your day? Are you staying in a ‘listening’ mode for His voice within you?
Allow Him to teach you EVERYTHING He wants to … in each moment of your day.
Holy Spirit I surrender. Teach me today. I purposely set my mind on You today, Jesus! Help me hear You clearly!