"But the fruit of the Spirit is… self-control." - Galatians 5:22
The end of this list, and thus the summit of a Christian's spiritual walk, is self-control. What commonly is spoken of as the Holy Spirit's government of us does not mean that He directly controls any part of us. That misunderstanding has lured Christians into passivity, or worse, deception, the end of which road is despair. But if we know that the Spirit is to lead man to the place of self-control, we are on the way to progress in spiritual life.
As believers, it is through our renewed will that the Holy Spirit rules. God's object in creation was to have man with a perfectly free volition, and his purpose in redemption is no different. The Christian is not obliged to obey God mechanically; instead his is the priviledge of fulfilling God's desires willingly and actively. We are perfectly free to choose or reject the various charges in the New Testament concerning life and godliness. They would mean nothing if God were to annihilate the operation of our own wills. The choice is ours: flesh or Spirit? And the fruit of the Spirit is self-control.
The Joyful Heart (Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: Galatians 5
Showing posts with label self-control. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-control. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Monday, March 05, 2007
A True King
"One that ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of God…" - 2 Samuel 23:3
David is so often called in Scripture 'King David' because he was a true king in spirit as well as in title. He was a king at heart. When a giant threatened Israel, Saul trembled, and so did all the people. Only David was unafraid. There is no fear in the heart of a king.
Ah, but David feared God. Saul became envious and persecuted him, driving him into exile. Then, on at least two occassions, David found Saul at his mercy and had the opportunity of killing him. However, without a command from God he would not lift a finger against his oppressor. Whoever cannot control his own spirit is no king. A true king is a king under all circumstances; he reigns everywhere.
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Samuel 24
David is so often called in Scripture 'King David' because he was a true king in spirit as well as in title. He was a king at heart. When a giant threatened Israel, Saul trembled, and so did all the people. Only David was unafraid. There is no fear in the heart of a king.
Ah, but David feared God. Saul became envious and persecuted him, driving him into exile. Then, on at least two occassions, David found Saul at his mercy and had the opportunity of killing him. However, without a command from God he would not lift a finger against his oppressor. Whoever cannot control his own spirit is no king. A true king is a king under all circumstances; he reigns everywhere.
The Joyful Heart (by Watchman Nee 主僕倪柝聲弟兄)
Read the Scriptures: 2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Samuel 24
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