Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Self control 1

I firmly believe that through the grace of God and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we all can live an incredible life.

There is a great man of God who once said, “The first victory that successful people ever achieve or win, is the victory over themselves." The moment we begin to have victory over our own flesh and our own desires, and become self-controlled, then all of a sudden we can become victorious over other things in life.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

In other words, “A person who rules his spirit (or has self-control) is better than a person who overcomes a city”

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

In ancient times, walls surrounded cities. These walls protected the city from invaders. In other words, walls around the city ensured peace, protection and stability. Now just imagine what would have happened if those walls were removed – the city would be destroyed. That’s what exactly happens to a man who has no rule over his own spirit – in other words does not have the fruit of self-control.

The Greek root for the word self-control means "to get a hold of” or "to get a grip on". It literally means to get your hands on something until you are in control of it.

I read a sign that said, "If you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn’t be able to sit down for weeks." The whole issue of self-control starts with self. A great man of God was once asked, "Of all the people you come in contact with, who gives you the most trouble?" He promptly said, "Myself."

In the name of Jesus, I consider myself dead to sin but alive to Jesus Christ; therefore, I do not allow sin to reign in my mortal body that I should obey its lusts. I submit myself totally to the Holy Spirit.