Self Control
 

It seems like a paradox.in Gal 5:22-23 we are given the fruit of the Spirit,one of which is Temperance [KJV] in other translations it is rendered Self Control.My question is if it is one of the things that is an outgrowth of the Spirit in our lives ,is it truely SELF control or the ability to control SELF?

Re: Self Control
 

I believe as we submit ourselves to the Spirit of God we work in conjunction with Him.

Even though we have a responsibility to be Epistles read of all men and to bridle our body, gird up the loins of our minds, etc., Galatians reminds us that we can't do that alone - Galatians 3:3 "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"

Another verse I'm reminded of in Proverbs 16:9 "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

So much depends on our direct submission to God's Spirit. Many times we say we need to resist the devil and he will flee from us, but the passage in James 4:7 begins with - "Submit yourselves therefore to God."

Re: Self Control
 

Thanks