As I was meditating on the Word and what the church world has become, especially people in the church that are very publicly outspoken with their beliefs; very aggressive in seeing people get saved; a question came to my mind. Maybe someone here on the C&MA Deeper Life Forum would have an answer for me.
Jesus said that we would know, in regard to people’s lives, what kind of tree they were by the fruit that the tree produces. We are all to use the same evaluation on our individual lives to determine what kind of tree we are. Jesus also tells us that the Father is the gardener. The gardener will cut off, and burn, any branches that are not producing fruit.
Evidently ‘fruit’ is a very critical concept in our lives! Paul, in Galatians 5, lists very clearly the fruit that a life produces when they have the Holy Spirit, as well as the kind of works or fruit that a life controlled by the flesh produces.
With these clear facts or Truth in mind I would like to focus my question on just one of the fruits that should be very evident in the lives of all those who are led or controlled by the Holy Spirit; self-control.
How can anyone have the Holy Spirit, yet lack self-control?
The way that the Bible reads to me, it is impossible.
Each individual will have to answer, to God, for themselves. We all have had our individual weak areas. My areas of weakness used to be movies, internet and video games. The Lord impressed on my mind that I could not go forward in my relationship with Him until I changed the things that I delighted in. I had little self-control in those areas of my life. The Holy Spirit has changed my entire life. Romans 12:1-3
What controls you? For most it might be your stomach, taste, or appetites. Others may have issues with attitudes; emotions and the things that others do that can just set you off into fleshly speech and actions. {The flesh is to be totally dead, not mostly dead.} Maybe your area of weakness is the mind; easily bored, needing books, TV, sports, internet, social media, etc. to keep you entertained? No matter what; confession, repentance and humble obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit can and will change your life!
If you want to maintain any victories you may gain, you must remove all worldly influences and faithfully fill your life with Divine influences, namely the Scriptures as taught you by the Holy Spirit. Walk in obedience to what you know in your heart is good and right (fair and just) to do; as you would have done to yourself.
"For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from brambles.
The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do what I tell you?
"Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice — I will show you what he is like: ….. Luke 6:43-47
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:19-23
Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice — alive, holy, and pleasing to God — which is your reasonable service.
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God — what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
For by the grace (especially the divine influence upon the heart (the thoughts or feelings (mind)), and its reflection in the life) given to me I say to every one of you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but to think with sober discernment, as God has distributed to each of you a measure of faith.
May the Holy Spirit open your mind and spiritual eyes to understand and see, and thus live, the Truth!