Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

Let us now finish the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit as listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 with "self-control":

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law.

The word here translated as "self-control" (some versions "temperance") is the Greek word egkrateia, defined by Thayer's as "self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites)".

The term is also used in Acts 24:25 and 2 Peter 1:5-8, where it is clear that the need for self-control is a stumbling-block for many, hindering them from desiring to obey the Gospel, yet that self-control is a part of a Christian's life. If we are to avoid sin and embrace righteousness, we must take control over our desires (1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:26-27).

The New Testament is full of specific commandments regarding self-control:

1. The mind. Paul says the following in Philippians 4:7-8:

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

By "thinking on these things," we keep our minds pure and thus under our control.

2. The tongue. James helps us understand the tongue in James 3:2-12, where James indicates how much difficulty can be caused by what is said. It is hard to be a shining light when our mouths are not under our control.

3. Our bodily lusts. We are constantly commanded to bring our bodies under control to avoid sin, especially in Romans 6:12-13 and Romans 13:14.

The need for self-control ought to be evident to all, for without it we are prone to sin and unable to properly demonstrate the other manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit. If we do not maintain control over our persons, Satan will, and we are lost. Let us remember the admonishment of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

If we diligently work to control ourselves, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit while shunning the works of the flesh, we shall be effective lights for Jesus and the temple within us is proven holy and fitting for God.

Paul wraps up the listing of the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit by appealing to their universality in Galatians 5:23:

against such there is no law.

No matter how righteous or iniquitous the nation-- ruled by a despotic tyrant or the fairest democracy-- no country yet has dared to legislate against the fruit of the Spirit. The godly and the sinner alike must recognize the benefits of a person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit, and anyone who would dare rule against a person being loving, having joy, peace, patience, etc. would be seen as a buffoon. What, then, hinders us from displaying the fruit of the Spirit, since it is recognized by all as good? Why would we hesitate to show the fruit of the Spirit, all that is good in life, unless we have been hardened by the deceitfulness of sin? Let us then constantly strive to show the fruit of the Spirit in our faith, our works, and our lives.

As a final note on the fruit of the Spirit, I am sure that there are many who are wondering at how I have explained the fruit of the Spirit, notably, that I have described them as manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit and not as "fruits" of the Spirit. The Greek text uses the word karpos, which means "fruit," in the singular, not the plural. While this distinction may not be appreciated by some, if we begin to think about the various manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit, we see quickly that they are intertwined. The person who truly has love will have patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc. A person who displays the fruit of the Spirit will have joy and peace, for he is about doing the good work of the Father in Heaven. We can also see from the other perspective that the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit cannot work separately; can a person be loving but not good, faithful, or gentle? Can a person lack self-control but be gentle, patient, loving, and peaceful? We see, then, that the fruit of the Spirit is one, and it may be defined by the characteristics analyzed in this study. Let us seek to imbibe the fruit of the Spirit, not neglecting any of its characteristics but seeking the whole peace and grace of God.

Ethan R. Longhenry
evangelist@norwalkchurch.org

The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio

Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies!

Our location:

386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits)
Norwalk, Ohio 44857

Our assemblies:

Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am
Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm

Our Bible studies:

Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am
Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm

For More Information

If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist@norwalkchurch.org.

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