This is the ninth and final part of a nine-part lesson going over the nine fruits of the Spirit, with each lesson focusing on each character trait a Christian should have.

But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature. We can't allow ourselves to act arrogantly and to provoke or envy each other.

Galatians 5:22-26

* * *

Welcome to the final fruit of the Spirit! In greek, self-control means having a great force within but under control. Another definition is the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations.

It's the ability to live with restraints. Society today tells us to let it all hang out, do your own thing, look out for yourself, and to be free of all restraints. But what does the Bible teach us?

We are to manifest self-control in order to become like Jesus Christ! Having self-control is needed in our life to further our maturity in Christ with all of the other fruits.

You have to ask yourself: Who is in control of my life? What life principles will I live by? God is the one who created you and has planned out your life, but he also gave you free will. Self-control is practicing control over this free will - from letting your mind wander and from letting your flesh control you.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
Titus 2:11-12

Worship God with self-control. It's not easy, if it was then there would be no need for police or jails. God values self-control and wants us to practice it. We must resist temptation that the world provides every day through peers, tv, and internet.

The higher-ups of your country form laws and policies you must abide by, but if you do not agree with them then it can be hard for you to follow them. However, the respect you have for the rule-maker will help you obey, even if you don't understand the rule or its purpose.

Jeremiah 35:6 tells the amazing story of a family who never failed to follow their ancestor's rule. Remember that the God of then is our God of now, so do your best to follow His commands.

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

Sometimes a lack of self-control seems like no big deal. So you ate more than you should have while on a diet plan, forgot to study for an important test, forgot to practice for a recital. It's no big deal, right? But Jeremiah 44 tells us that loss of self-control is a big deal! When you allow your self-discipline to slip in one area, you develop the habit of compromise. Compromise leads you to constantly falling in the pit again of cheating just a little bit, whether on yourself or on God, and it leads to procrastination and thus separating yourself further from God.

Self-control is key in being closer to His presence!

But everyone needs guidelines for great self-control, otherwise you may believe in a wrong idea and will practice a false doctrine. Your self-control could very well be your demise, in that case. That is why we must discipline ourselves to studying God's word and going by His commandments. His word is truth and life!

Living fully in Christ means having the self-control to say no to the worldly things you want, and saying yes to what He needs you to do. It may require you to put a career or hobby on hold, or even to lay your life down for Him! When the time comes, just cling to the Father and do what He would have you to do.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Disciplining yourself is a difficult and long-term goal, it's something Paul worked so hard to achieve. But God is your encouragement. Every time you reach that goal you set, He will be right there every step and will reward His good, faithful, and honorable servant.

God is in control of our lives, and that confidence spurs on our self-control.

Read and study 1 Corinthians 9:15-27, Paul is the foundation of self-control!

Ask yourself or others:

-What have been your personal motivations for self-control in your past?

-How did self-control limit use of rights?

-How are we to run so as to attain the prize?

-What is the "prize" Paul is talking about?

-By practicing self-control, who are you getting closer to?

Assignment:

▪What are the aspects of your own Christian walk which need to be more disciplined?

○Now our nine-part lesson comes to a close! I pray that you have received this knowledge in Jesus' name and that you walk by faith and practice discipline. Mature in these fruits of labor, and bring honor to our God in Heaven. Time is short in the hour in which we're living in, let your light shine through the darkness Satan spreads. Lead souls to the mighty kingdom of God.♡

Lord, I come to you in prayer to ask that you give me strength so that I may discipline myself to keep your commandments and cling to the cross. You are in control of my life and I want to receive all that You give me, Lord. As Paul did, I want to make self-discipline a long-term goal and finish the race. I want to mature in my walk with You. Amen.

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
2 Peter 1:5-9