Young Adults' Group

The Last Fruit

by Pastor Mark
November 04, 2021

An intriguing end 

Self-control is listed as the last fruit of the Spirit. Why did Paul end his list with self-control? Pastor Charles provided us with the answer last Sunday. He gave us great insights concerning what self-control is and how it relates to the rest of the fruits of the Spirit.

Part of the answer lies in the danger of losing control. Whether it was Cain killing Abel or Achan falling into temptation, in losing control, they found themselves facing severe consequences.

In seeking to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit, whether it is love, joy or peace, we can quickly lose our control over each fruit. All the fruits that we have been diligently developing in our lives can be adversely affected if we lose self-control. It is the reason why self-control is wisely placed as the last fruit. Let us recognise the great need to have self-control in cultivating the fruits of the Spirit carefully, consistently and collectively.

The power of self-control

The Greek word for “self-control” is “enkráteia” and its root word means “power” (Gal 5:23). It is a reference to the kind of power that comes from God. The ability to have self-control is not found within ourselves. This divine power works in our life so that we may be able to have self-control. The power of God helps us not to lose control when we are about to become upset with our colleague or to raise our voice at a family member. Let us truly depend on the power of God to make self-control more a part of our lives.

The prayer for self-control

How can we cultivate the fruit of self-control? Let us pray for it humbly, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Eph 3:16) This phrase “strengthened with might” has the word “self-control” within. It indicates that the strength that God gives involves self-control. Out of the riches of God’s glory, He will provide us with the might that we need. Let us pray with faith that the Lord would strengthened us with might and to give us the power we need to develop self-control.

The practice of self-control

Another meaning of the word “enkráteia” is the word “temperate”. Paul used this word in describing how we should run in the race of life. We should be “temperate in all things.” (1 Cor 9:25) The Corinthian church started out well but chose to pursue the wrong lines of thought as they did not have self-control. The challenge is to be temperate in everything.

Let us be encouraged to practise self-control and discipline to run the race of life well.

Abounding in the fruits of the Spirit

Paul ended the list of the fruits of the Spirit with another intriguing thought, “Against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:23) What does this mean? It means that there are no limits as to how many fruits we can cultivate. We are not confined by the law of Moses or any other law.

In our desire to cultivate more fruits in our life, whether it is love, joy or peace, let us not be restricted in any way. Let us be challenged to abound more and more in cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in our life and ministry.

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