Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Self-Control: The Fruit of the Spirit

And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness.
- 2 Peter 1:6

There is no other sporting event like the Olympics. It thrills our senses as we watch the top athletes in the world going head to head in competition.

And yet, the sensation for us as spectators goes far beyond that. We realize we are watching each individual battle against time and themselves as they strive to be the best they can be at that single moment of glory.

That is what “self-control” is all about.

That is what the apostle Paul was describing when he said, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly…No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). There’s something inside Olympic athletes that causes them to rise up early in the morning and train.

For you and I, that “something” is the Holy Spirit. Self-control is the fruit of the Spirit that rises from within and calls us to live a holy life with God’s power in control.

Further Reading

• 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
• 2 Timothy 2:1-19
• 2 Peter 1-11