THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - SELF CONTROL

Those who’ve followed Jesus for many, many years, Hold within their memory their youthful, childhood fears. We think we will get rid of them as we are growing old. But find we haven’t got the power to live as self controlled. We find this in the Spirit. It is His special fruit. And still we have to live with things that we once thought were cute. A number of those problems are directed at the men. The ladies seldom suffer, except just now and then. But I have long been “haunted” by a passage from those days. In Matthew five verse twenty eight; and here’s what Jesus says. Adultery’s committed not only by the act, But looking at a woman and lusting, is in fact, As serious as wanting to get her into bed. Adultery’s committed while still within your head! How do the menfolk cope with this? That is the mystery! It’s something I have thought about throughout my history. The Lord designed our gender to see the one he loves. He cannot wander through the world protected by kid gloves. So how are men enabled to be pure and still stay whole? The only way is exercising perfect self control. But that is supernatural. It is The Spirit’s gift. He cannot do it by himself - if you will get my drift; He cannot turn his eyes away from all the girls he sees. But looking must not ever be a fantasised strip tease. I have to tell you honestly that most men are this way. To ever overcome it and not be led astray, Is by the Holy Spirit, who sets each man the goal, Of living in this kingdom with total self control. I know it isn’t easy. In fact it’s downright hard. To deal with his desires and always be on guard. But we are not abandoned. He’s said there is a way For men to walk in Holiness, with women every day. The girls don’t make it easy. The very clothes they wear Were specially designed to make the menfolk turn and stare. So all the men and women need the Spirit’s self control. Or they’ll become a victim of the devil’s fiendish goal. I know I cannot do it. I turn my head away. To keep this sort of thinking continually at bay. And as the Holy Spirit inspires me more and more, It’s easier and easier to not want to explore, Those mental exercises that seek to lead astray, And follow in His footsteps as day gives place to day. Jim Strickland – written Saturday, 01 October 2011