Question: Christians: How is that self-control working for you?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5.22-23
Relation Questions:
Answer:
Are you really going to sit there and point the finger at others? Did you look into the mirror before you asked this question? I would LOVE to see your activity for ONE single complete day and see how you can almost... walk on water...
Not very nice of you.
A couple of insights on this might be helpful. The first is that this is more understandable as being "
self-control, once submitted to the control of the Holy Spirit". As an example of how this works, take the matter of cleaning up our speech. One of the ways the Lord changes the lives of His children is to clean up their language. The least clean of our human members...the tongue...is chosen to be "under the control" of the Holy Spirit. Lips that once could only curse, now pronounce blessings on those whose lives they interact with...could be the result of only "self control", but that would be rare, in my opinion. I give the credit for this to the Lord.
The second insight which may be useful is based on a passage in Second Peter. Peter lists a bunch of Christian virtues which are to mark our spiritual lives, personally. Added then is the remark that we are to possess these in "increasing measure" as time goes on. From this I make the assumption that "self-control" may also be a grace that is at first rare in our lives, yet we can "grow in that grace" as we reach maturity in the Lord. We become more like our LORD over time, as we yield to the leadings and direction of the Holy Spirit.
This does not rule out things like deliverance from drug addiction, or tobacco use...or worse. Such immediate healings are possible, and have happened. It may be part of an ongoing struggle for us too. Why one is drug free immediately, and another may need to go through a lengthy recovery period is a mystery.
In summary, self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and follows the lead of the Spirit
It is progressive and reflects the transformation of the believer into the image of Jesus.
It is not self willed,or self directed; boasting about it is thus excluded. It is a gift of grace.
To be honest, I struggle with it. I am an obese man who loves to eat to excess. One of my most obvious sins is gluttony. I acknowledge it. I also have a problem with my temper. You could say that I am a work in progress. As for the other traits, I try my best. I don't always hit the mark.
Pretty well, actually. I choose not to drink, don't take drugs, and don't romp with whores or use pornography. I'm physically fit, enjoy exercise, and have a pretty good life.
I'm a slave to no vice, and that works out swimmingly.
I don't think I'm actually a Christian....but.
The things being talked about in Galatians 5:22-23 are spiritual. From a worldly perspective they have no value whatsoever. That is why the world takes very little notice of them. And that is why the world militates against them so little...IN PRINCIPLE. Though real people do experience real persecution....for one reason or another.
Who does NOT want more....love, joy, peace, etc etc etc ? One does not need to be a Christian to understand the value of self-control for example.
Oh it gets tested a lot! Like Forev, I have a problem with anger. Sometimes I do pretty good. Thanks for your concern for our spiritual well-being.
Let us know when you get that log out of your eye.
Oh man, I'm not doing so good with self-control, I have problems with anger, but thanks for asking, I will try to work on it :)
For someone who doesn't believe the Bible, you sure seem to read it quite a lot.
Some days better than others.
You?