Known By Their Fruit: Self-Control

Matthew 7:16-20: "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them".

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Self-control is one of the most challenging yet vital qualities in the Christian life. It is the last fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, but that doesn’t make it the least important. In many ways, self-control acts as the foundation for exercising the other fruits, ”love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness” because without discipline, it’s easy to let our flesh take over.

The Greek Word for Self-Control

The Greek word for self-control in this passage is “enkrateia” meaning mastery, self-restraint, or the ability to control one’s desires and impulses. It refers to having dominion over our thoughts, emotions, and actions, not through sheer willpower but through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus: The Perfect Example of Self-Control

No one displayed self-control more perfectly than Jesus. Though He was fully God, He was also fully human and experienced the same temptations we do (Hebrews 4:15). Yet, He never sinned.

-During His 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), Satan tempted Jesus with physical cravings, pride, and power. Each time, Jesus resisted, using Scripture as His weapon.

-In the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42), Jesus wrestled with the agony of the cross, yet He surrendered His will to the Father’s plan.

-On the cross (Luke 23:34), He could have called down legions of angels to rescue Him, but instead, He endured suffering for our salvation.

Jesus’ life shows us that self-control isn’t about suppressing our emotions or desires, it’s about submitting them to God.

Applying Self-Control in Our Lives

Self-control is needed in nearly every area of life. Here are a few ways we can cultivate it through the Holy Spirit:

1. In Our Thoughts

Our minds are battlefields. If we don’t exercise self-control in our thoughts, negativity, fear, and temptation will take root. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” This means filtering our thoughts through God’s truth, rejecting lies from the enemy, and focusing on what is good (Philippians 4:8).

2. In Our Words

James 3:8 says, “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poision” How many times have we said something in anger and regretted it? Self-control allows us to pause, pray, and respond with wisdom instead of reacting impulsively. Proverbs 13:3 reminds us, “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”

3. In Our Emotions

Feelings are real, but they shouldn’t control us. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin.”Whether it’s anger, jealousy, or discouragement, self-control helps us manage our emotions in a way that honors God. Instead of lashing out or spiraling into despair, we can bring our emotions to Him and let the Holy Spirit guide our responses.

4. In Our Habits and Desires

From food to social media to entertainment, we all have areas where we struggle with self-discipline. Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete training for a race:

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)

This means denying instant gratification for the sake of a greater reward, spiritual growth and intimacy with God. Whether it’s overcoming addiction, setting healthy boundaries, or resisting temptation, self-control allows us to pursue holiness rather than be ruled by our impulses.

5. In Our Relationship with God

Self-control is ultimately about surrendering our will to God’s. It takes discipline to pray when we’d rather scroll through our phones, to read Scripture when we feel tired, and to obey God when it’s inconvenient. But as we develop self-control, we become more aligned with His purpose for our lives.

Strength Through the Spirit

True self-control isn’t about sheer determination, it’s about relying on the Holy Spirit. On our own, we will fail. But when we walk in step with Him, He empowers us to live in victory.

Titus 2:11-12 reminds us:

“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.

Self-control is not about restriction, it’s about freedom. The more we yield to God, the less we are enslaved to our flesh. The more we submit to His Spirit, the more we walk in the abundant life He has for us.