07.20.22 | The Fruit of Self-Control
In Galatians 5, Paul encourages the church of Galatia to walk in the Spirit –something we all desire to do as followers of Jesus, as we commit to practicing his way. In verses 22-23, Paul then specifies that the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This week, we will be focusing on the fruit of self-control as we continue through the four steps of FAST:
- Focus: Find a quiet place to settle your mind and open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Adoration: Spend time honoring and exalting God, tell him what you appreciate about him. Contemplate on who he is and what he has done. You might even be able to get a sense of his presence with you.
- Speak: Commune with God, taking moments to both speak to him about what’s on your heart and to pause and listen for his voice. Use journals to write down what you hear him say. Ask simple follow up questions like, “is there anything else you’d like me to know about [fill in the topic]” to really get to the heart of what Jesus wants to communicate to you and what you want to say to him or plead for while you fast.
- Transform: Commit to taking active steps to change or address what the Lord revealed during your time of fasting.
During the third step, Speak, ask God what he wants you to know about self-control.
- How is God inviting you into a more self-controlled life? What would that look like?
- In what areas of your life is God desiring more self-control?
- How can the Spirit be working with you to create more self-control in your life?
Often, self-control is a fruit that can actually grow your capacity for more of the other fruits of the Spirit. So, in your time with God, ask him how he would like to fill you up as you practice self-control in your life. Perhaps God desires to increase your capacity for love, kindness, gentleness, and so on. Ask God to give you more; more of his Spirit, more of the fruits of his Spirit.