The Fruit of Self-Control

Titus 1-3

This weekend at the marriage retreat, I was struck by the differences we started to mull over about men and women. So today, I'm interested in the verse in Titus 2 that talks about what men and women need to be concerned about. Of course, as a man, I'm interested in what is said about us.

Both older men and younger men are encouraged to be self-controlled. I think that is the hardest fruit of the spirit for almost every man that I know. Even harder than gentleness, which seems like it would be difficult for us aggressive and competitive men. Now, I'm not one who actually likes to categorize men and women into tight stereotypes, and so I usually push back against them. But this seems to fit.

I know that it strikes a cord with me. Why is it that I seem to always need more, or that I'm not satisfied with the things that I have, or that I can't stop myself from the sensual. The thing that tastes good, the things that feel good, etc. Or that I can't always convince myself to spend time on the difficult and unpleasant, even when needed.

Paul other passage in Romans seems appropriate here. What I want to do I do not do, but what I do not want to do, this I do. It seems, in many situations, that I have no self control. Today I was eating carrots as a healthy snack. I decided that I was going to have 5. I did, then I read the label and decided I could have two more. Then two more, then two more, then two more. Then I went to the concession stand and bought two bags of peanuts. That is not controlling myself.

And there are other areas as well.

Anyways, as Courtney and I dedicate ourselves to the Christian disciplines once again, it seems as though the fruits will become more evident in us. Lord, as I seek You, I pray that I will become more and more self-controlled. I need that, Lord, I pray. Amen.