Key scripture – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12 (NIV)).

When you read through the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, which are, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control, have you ever gotten tripped up when it lists “self-control” as a fruit of the Spirit? Maybe it’s the “self” part of it, because it makes us wonder, “How can I control myself? I certainly don’t feel like I have control over anything! What does self-control have to do with godliness? Why would it be a part of the Holy Spirit’s fruit in my life?”

Author, Camilla Griffith, tells us that Paul helps us better understand this concept in Titus 2. Here he is teaching Titus how to instruct the congregation in Crete on living in light of God’s glorious grace and salvation. The Cretans have to learn how to transition from believing in God’s amazing grace to living a life full of God’s grace. This is where self-control enters. When speaking to Christians at every stage of life, Titus never leaves out the importance (or an example) of self-control. (Titus 2:2-3, Titus 2:5-6, Titus 2:12) A life well-lived, although not perfect, is characterized by temperance, moderation and self-control. A godly life can be demonstrated by the ability to say “No” through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 2:11-12)

There are a lot of earthly benefits to self-control, but Paul isn’t concerned about those. He is more concerned with what our self-control can do for others and what it says about our God.

When someone has self-control and they live wisely and have integrity, others see the direct connection between the sound doctrine of the gospel and the life of the Christian. When this happens, others can’t be critical of God’s Word; rather they are faced with the reality that God’s Word is trustworthy. (1 Peter 2:12)

How does this kind of self-controlled and upright life indicate an outward expression of God’s Word in our lives? Because it is what the grace of God teaches. (Titus 2:11-12). Self-control is a characteristic of God, therefore, the more we become like Him, the more self-controlled we will be.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, meaning we can nurture it, but we can’t produce it in ourselves. (Ephesians 2:8-10) It is nurtured and the natural outcome of spending time with God, in His Word, praying, and under the influence of His Spirit. This is not a passive production, but it is a discipline. (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Peter 1:5-8). It is a mindful and intentional growing toward godliness, and that is why Titus was told to encourage others in self-control because it is critical for our life as Christians. It is a key to our ministry and an attribute of our God, and as hard as it is, it can be done by the incomparable power of our God.

Are you growing in self-control? If not, start spending time with God and in His Word.

Pray this- Our Precious Heavenly Father, all of Your characteristics are good and righteous. Help me to become more like You, day by day. Draw near to me so that I may draw near to You. Please grow my self-control so that I am worthy of respect, and I live wisely, which will glorify You. Fill me with love and patience, make me pure, and entirely trustworthy so that I do good works, and so that Jesus is attractive to others in every way.(Titus 2:2,5,7,10). I want to serve only You and not my flesh or the world. I want to have self-control along with the other fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness. I want the Holy Spirit to guide my life. Father, fill me with Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

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