The Fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL.
Our guiding passage for our look at SELF-CONTROL is James 3:5-6: “The tongue is a small part of the body … Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
Our background image today is Yosemite National Park this past Spring (April 2021) after a devastating forest fire ravaged the area last Fall (September 2020). Yosemite is a very special place of unparalleled beauty! Yet wild, raging forest fires have left Yosemite forever scarred!
Today’s background photo captures what happens to our relationships with others when we do not have SELF-CONTROL. God has created us to be in relationship with each other. The relationships we have with others are very special and sacred … for they are practice for Heaven, where we will be in perfect relationship with God and fellow believers for eternity!
Yet, when we do not have SELF-CONTROL, we “burn” the relationship down. The relationships which God intended to be so special and sacred are left forever scarred! Just like Yosemite.
Our daily verse today states: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” -James 1:19
- Will other people do things that offend us? Yes.
- Will other people do things that disappoint us? Yes.
- Will other people do things that drive us crazy? Yes.
- Will other people do things that deeply wound and hurt us? Yes.
When these things happen … pause. Stop.
Invite the Holy Spirit into the moment.
Ask the Holy Spirit for His power to respond with LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS.
Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.
The Holy Spirit will give us the power we need! Ask Him.
The Fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL.
