Self-Control - STEEMCHURCH

image source

One of the fruits Paul mentioned in his letter to the Galatians is self control. It has broader meaning because any one growing in the Spirit should do well to imbibe the virtue. This is particularly true, because, we are called to exercise self-control with regard to all things, sexual excesses, temper, food, drink, etc. In our daily life, there is always a tension between the demands of our body and spirit, and the flesh is always lusting against the spirit. But a man growing in the Spirit should always know when to strike at a balance, because, virtue, they say lies in the middle. According to St Paul

”It is obvious what proceeds front the flesh: lewd conduct, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities,
bickering, jealousy, outbursts of rage, selfish rivalries, dissension, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and tile
like,” (Galatians 5: 19-29).

Self control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which enables those are growing spiritually to gain possession of themselves in even' respect. It extends to other realms besides restraint. It involves knowing how to behave in the face of changing conditions of life and personal temperament, Its principle is based on Paul's maxim, whatever we
say, or eat, we should do them to the glory of God and for the Sanctification of ourselves and for common good.

image source
Lastly, since God's revelation is that God continues with him, he demands a response from Christian as we will not have rest until we answer him The response must be love and be based on Christ. The fact is that the virtues demanded of someone growing in an intimate relationship with the holy Spirit cannot be exhausted in a work of this nature, So the fact remains that as Christians, we are called to ever consciousness of the indwelling community of God's family, Father, Son and I Holy Spirit, within us. Every good work we do in love comes from the prompting of the Spirit and our ability to accept the situation that comes to us is also a gift of the Spirit. The presence of the Spirit in us will equally show in our prayer life and the way we commune with others in our churches and society.

The Gospels reveal to us that this is only possible through listening to the word made flesh, Jesus Christ who through his resurrection now abides within us. If Christ truly lives within us and is constantly speaking his Words from within our hearts, we are called to respond to him by freely obeying his commandments in love. As Jesus dwells within us, we enter into a permanent in dwells of the Father and the Holy Spirit. If God dwells in our hearts, we should be conscious of that fact and respond to God by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in all our actions and words. As we live more consciously in God's presence, let us therefore seek to love God with our hearts so that the Spirit of love will permeate everything we think, do or say. Increased consciousness of indwelling of the Holy Spirit comes as we turn within and live in faith, hope and love according to his inner light which shines from our hearts dispelling the darkness of our selfishness.

image source
So, as we push ourselves under the spirit of love, we co-operate and listen to the Holy Spirit who directs our lives. Also, we can uproot any hindrance to listening to him and obeying him. The response to obeying God's words is to strive and do all things in love. This Spirit therefore calls us out to be committed to Christ and to love all beings in him and use our gifts in love to make others happy. By encountering the Holy Spirit, we allow the Spirit to work in our lives. By so doing, we will experience the joy of following Christ.

GOD BLESS YOU