got fruit? got self-control?
September 3, 2021
A recent winning America’s Funniest Video (AFV) entitled, “Toddler Temptation Challenge”, called to mind the ninth and final fruit of the Spirit–self-control. The challenge involved parents putting tempting candy in front of their toddlers and telling them to wait a minute before eating any. During this time, the parents left the room and then returned to see how their children did. The camera was rolling while the parents were not in the room, and watching the toddlers’ efforts at self-control was the humorous part of the video.
One little girl was able to withstand eating the candy by simply “petting it”. Others counted down from 60 seconds, smelled the candy, or covered their eyes so they would not see the treats. Still others plunged right into the candy bowl as soon as the mom or dad left the room. Some strategies proved successful, while others failed miserably and the child succumbed to the temptation. The “Toddler Temptation Challenge” tested their will power, patience, and obedience.
“22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”- Galatians 5:22-23
Self-control is the ninth and final fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:23 and it means much more than resisting M&Ms and Skittles. Self-control is the ability to restrain one’s emotions, actions, and desires. Will power, “petting the temptation”, putting our hands over our eyes so we cannot see the temptation, and determination are not enough to consistently produce self-control. The fruit of self-control, just like the other eight fruit of the Spirit, is the “produce” of the Holy Spirit and by abiding in Christ, staying connected to Him, this fruit can be evident in our lives.
Another important aspect of self-control is doing God’s will and not living for one’s self. Imagine Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, kneeling down and praying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22: 42)
Some of you may be familiar with the book series by American writer, Jan Karon entitled, The Mitford Years. The series consists of fourteen novels set in the fictional town of Mitford, North Carolina. The novels are Christian-themed, and center on the life of the rector, Father Tim. Whenever, confronted with a situation which required not taking things into his own hands, Father Tim would say, “I will pray the prayer that never fails-‘Thy will be done!’”
May that be my prayer as well!
So how are you doing? got fruit? got self-control?
“11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” – Titus 2: 11-12