"The Fruit Of The Spirit Is...Self-Control." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Here is how it read today...

Fri. July 3

"THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS...SELF-CONTROL." (GALATIANS 5:22-23 NIV)

Exercise control, without being controlling

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There are two kinds of people: the controller and the self-controlled. Which one are you? Let's find out: The controller believes that "the Devil does it to them" or people, or circumstances, so they respond by blaming, resenting, or projecting frustration. They keep on trying to manipulate people and circumstances to their advantage. But people and circumstances usually don't submit to our control, so their attempts only intensify their pain and turn their relationship into power struggles. The more they try to control the worse they feel; the worse they feel the more they try to control. Refuse to live that way. The self-controlled understand that the Devil can do nothing to them without their cooperation, and that they don't have to give it. They understand that people and circumstances aren't their problem either - how they deal with them is. So they respond by reminding themselves of three things: (1) The person I need to control is me. (2) Sometimes I must turn the people and circumstances in my life over to God and allow Him to deal with them. (3) I must draw on the Holy Spirit's power in order to control my reactions and follow the "sound mind" principles of Scripture for staying in charge of my life (See 2Ti 1:7). As a result they avoid engaging in blame-games, self-inflicted pain, and turning relationships into war zones. Knowing that "the fruit of the Spirit is...self-control" they understand that the Spirit won't control them, or help them control others and manipulate circumstances, but He will empower them to control themselves. Spirit-empowered people are freed from being part of the problem, and become part of the solution God is bringing about!