Self-Control: The Power to Resist (By Mike Belgard)

September 13, 2017 - I love watching a well trained dog work. I am always amazed how these animals can learn such self-control. I had a Labrador Retriever once that was exceptional at the art of self control. He loved fetching things and would go get anything that you would throw for him, bring it back to you, and set it at your feet. But what was really amazing was that I could make him stay at my side until I told him to retrieve. I would tell him to stay, then throw a stick into the lake and he would not move. His eyes fixed on where the stick had landed. You could see the anticipation building on his face using every bit of strength he had to keep himself from just breaking loose and going after the stick. He was the picture of self-control. He knew that he would get the prize if he resisted the urge to move until the master gave the command. That's what self control is: The ability to restrain our own selfish passions and appetites even though our flesh is telling us to indulge.

Self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit or character trait of a Spirit filled believer. If someone is filled with the Spirit they will practice self-control. When we allow the Spirit to help us control our actions, emotions, words, thoughts only then can we live in peace with others and ourselves.

When Jesus said, "But whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also," I believe that He was talking about practicing self-control. If you are in a confrontation and you get angry, you lose control of that situation. You will inevitably say or do something that you will regret. That's how Peter can say in 2 Peter 1:5-6 "But also for this very reason add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness," then in verse 8 he adds "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

It's hard to practice self-control in a world that is pulling us to act on our emotions and desires. The good news is that you are not alone in this fight to stay in control. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to maintain self-control.

All you have to do is turn your life over to Him and start receiving the fruit that He has for you. All the fruit of the Spirit can be yours. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. They are all there for you to have and share with others.

I'm just sayin
Mike Belgard