For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1v5-7 ESV

The third supplement we need to add to our faith is self-control. This supplement is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, but we are also commanded to put in the effort to gain it. This is not a contradiction.

When we yield to Christ and make Him Lord and Saviour of our lives we are submitting and committing to live our lives according to the principles of His Word. He knows we cannot do it in our own strength so He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within us to enable us to live the very best life we can to honour Him.

The power of the Holy Spirit is the power to live a holy, set apart life. He gives us the desire to follow Him and then, as we yield to Him, He gives us the power to follow Him. The way to master ourselves, is to let the Holy Spirit master us. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up one morning and find that we automatically do everything that God commands us to do with a singing heart and a joyful step! But that is not what happens.

When we are born again, God does not reprogram us like a new computer. He always gives us the choice to yield to His rule, even as born-again Christians. When we insist in acting in the ways of our old sinful nature we dishonour God, and bring misery on ourselves. God still loves us. We are still saved and going to Heaven, but we do not enjoy the new life he has given us and like a grumpy child, we shuffle along mumbling to ourselves about how unfair life is and asking why we should have to do things this way.

Everyone has different areas of their lives that they need to bring under the control of the Holy Spirit. I have a bit of a short temper. (Umm, it actually is more of a big bit than a short bit!) I react quickly to things, rather than slowing down and giving a reasoned response. I can try to excuse myself by saying that this developed in me as a child trying to cope with a very unpredictable and insecure childhood, or I can face up to it and learn to control the fight or flight syndrome.

When God saved me, He not only made me His child and gave me an entrance into Heaven where there is a prepared home and a beautiful crown waiting for me, He gave me His Spirit and His Word to guide me through the remaining years of my life here on earth.

Self-control is developed in us when we read God’s Word and see a passage where we know we are not living as we ought to live, and then pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to change, and then endeavor to change. As I’ve said so many times to myself and to my family and friends – God loves you just the way you are, He but doesn’t want you to stay that way. He wants you to be conformed to the character of Jesus. It is a life times work. It is a hard slog. But it is the perfect way to enjoy life in all the fullness that God wants for us.

Self-control is agreeing with Paul that “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me” (Philippians 4v13). With the help of His Spirit, I can control my temper, my laziness, my appetite, my passions etc. With His Spirit leading and guiding and strengthening me I can overcome the ingrained habits of a lifetime. I do not need to be controlled by the pain and difficulties of the past, or the fear and uncertainty of the future.

Developing self-control through the power of His Spirit working in us leads to freedom from sin and a life of joy.

My hubby and I love hiking through the Mourne Mountains. It’s quite a drive so means an early start. This means less sleep! We carry all that we need for the day including food, water, first aid kit and some extra clothing in case of changes in the weather. This is heavy! As I get older my joints and muscles get older too! This can be painful! But I do it because I love the freedom, peace, stillness and exhilaration that comes from gaining the mountain top views. There are so many stages of the journey where I feel like giving up the goal, but the joy that I know that I will feel once I reach the top keeps me going.

Self-control may mean setting your alarm clock to go off a little earlier so that you can spend time communing with God before your days work begins. This means less sleep!

Self-control means choosing carefully to die to yourself, take up your cross and follow in the ways of Jesus on a daily basis. This can be heavy!

Self-control means pushing through the disappointments, mistakes, misunderstandings, and sinful habits we all experience. This can be painful!

But the goal is so very worth it! Paul tells us in Philippians 3v14 that “I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.

Any goal worth pursuing requires self-control. Students need it to finish their studies, sports people need it to win their races, workers need it to get to the top of their chosen career, and Christians need it to be conformed to the image of Christ. The amazing benefit to us is that He has given us His Holy Spirit to help us to conquer our old nature, put on the new nature, and achieve all that He wants us to achieve!