Self-control is the ability to manage one’s impulses, emotions, and behaviors. This is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Although many claim to love Messiah, many do not have the fruit of the Spirit. The ability to regulate one’s emotions and behavior is a key aspect of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is the change in our character that comes about because of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. We do not achieve it on our own, and we cannot grow on our own. Philippians 2:13 says that “it is Elohim who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Every good thing we do is the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives.
The Way of Love
Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not brag, it is not puffed up, it does not behave inappropriately, it does not seek its own way, it is not provoked, it keeps no account of wrong, it does not rejoice over injustice but rejoices in the truth; it bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it endures all things.
Love never fails—but where there are prophecies, they will pass away; where there are tongues, they will cease; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.
When I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. But now these three remain—faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 TLV
Self control or temperance is the ability to control oneself. It involves moderation, constraint, and the ability to say “no” to fleshly lusts, desires and trials during times of stress.
Remaining calm during times of stress reveals we have self control and if we truly have the Holy Spirit in us our patience will reveal this fact. The fruit of the Spirit cannot be faked. We either have it or we don’t. The patriarchs displayed great patience, not just a little patience. They truly had the fruit of the Spirit and it was clearly evident.
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is, “Am I displaying the fruit of the Holy Spirit? This is one of the most important questions Elohim’s children can ask themselves. In Elohim’s Word, we are given a simple test that demonstrates whether or not we are living the Spirit-empowered life: the fruit of the Spirit, a cluster of nine interrelated characteristics that can only be produced fully in your life by the Spirit Himself.
And I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 TS2009
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustworthiness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no Torah. Galatians 5:22,23 TS2009
The works of the flesh only produce pain and heartache as they divide friends, spouses, and even entire churches. The Spirit, on the other hand unites us producing only good things in and through us as we surrender completely to Yeshua HaMashiach.
You can’t produce the fruit of the Spirit under your own power. This is how the existence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life is a test revealing if you are filled or not. It is impossible to fake the indwelling of the Ruach. If He is in fact within you, He will produce this fruit in you, because He never fails to produce fruit in the person who is truly surrendered to Him.