Keep in Step

Recently in a Bible study we led called "The Wesleyan Way," we had an activity where we were asked to examine Galatians 5. We were asked which of the fruits of Spirit listed in verses 22 and 23 could be used to combat the works of the flesh listed in verses 19-21. This passage of Scripture is listed below:

"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." 

When we did this activity we found that of all the fruits of the Spirit, one in particular worked for every single work of the flesh. Can you guess it? It's the last one listed above: self-control. 

Ahhh, self-control. Something we all can utilize, but do not always want to. Self-control in anger, eating, urges, habits, time, entertainment and the like. We have the ability to do it, but oftentimes we just don't. Think about alcohol and drug abuse ... what ended up as addictions, more often then not, started as choices.

There is a hilarious skit by Bob Newhart called "Stop It." It features a woman going for therapy to deal with several destructive behaviors and paralyzing thinking patterns. The doctor, played by Newhart, has a simple two-word answer for her. Stop it. (You can watch it here.) While it's comical and perhaps flippantly deals with real issues, the point is, God gave us free will, and that includes the ability to stop and make better choices.

We have told our kids since the very beginning, "You are responsible for every choice you make," and we asked them to carefully decide before making them if they were wise choices. You choose to be jealous. You choose to be angry. You choose to cuss. You choose to party hard. According to Paul's letter to the Galatians, you can make better choices. But notice, you aren't making those choices alone. Those fruits are of the Spirit, and it's by the Spirit we make them. You have the choice to respond in love, in joy, in peace, with patience, kindness and gentleness, with generosity, in faithfulness ... and in self-control.

In this journey in life you will have countless opportunities to fail. That may sound pessimistic, but it's reality. 1 Peter 5:8 states: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." He works overtime to try to get you to fail. Christ referred to this when talking to Peter in Luke 22:31 by saying that Satan asks to "sift all of you like wheat." So there will be trials and temptations your entire life.

So what is the best defense for this? Paul tells us just after the above verses in Galatians 5:25: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." With the indwelt Holy Spirit, we have at our access every moment of the day, guidance to make the right decisions. Isaiah 30:21 spoke of this: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” So ask Him. Count on Him. Make good choices.

Discussion: In what areas of your life or relationship do you need to exercise self-control? What are ways that you can implement it?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the Holy Spirit's sweet whisper guiding us to make the right choices. Help us maintain control in our lives, when we sometimes think we don't have any. Remind us that with you we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:31).