But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

Today marks the the final post for our blog devo series on the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We have more good stuff coming your way in November (Lifestyle Thanksgiving), December (all things Christmas!) and in 2009 (purposefully vague…you’ll just have to wait and see!).

Self-control is a good subject on which to close. Honestly, I like the word. Self-control implies that I have some. Control, that is. Whether a result of my history or just part of my personality, I like to feel in control (dare I say I need it???). Chaos scares me, and I slip into an easy panic if life is beyond my ability to manage. My insecurity meter hits the roof and everyone around me pays for it.

I’m a roll-my-sleeves-up-and-tackle-any-project person. I welcome any challenge as long as doesn’t leave my world spinning out of control. Therefore, the word "self-control" sounds like my kind of fruit.

UNTIL I unpack the events of the past few weeks. The comments I made and shouldn’t have. The conversations I initiated which should’ve never been started. The verbal vomit I spewed in a moment of frustration. The unforgiveness I nurtured in my heart, and the retaliation fantasy I played out in my mind (yes, I have a sinister side). I may be disciplined in many areas, but honest self-eval reveals I’m really NOT "in control" of my flesh. I am a woman who is always just a few small decisions away from major disaster. Though I desperately want to believe I am ultimately good and righteous, I have teetered close enough to the edge of destruction to know better.

That’s why self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and not a "Fruit of Michele". True self-control is beyond me. It is a challenge bigger than I am equipped to tackle. The fruit I bear of my own rolled-up sleeves is nice, but fleeting at best. And, quite honestly, my flesh pulls me down a slippery slope of carnality every day. There really is no point to being anything but transparent here: I’m out of control. Paul agreed:

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. Romans 7:18b-19

Whether we’re talking about the fruit of love, joy, peace or even self-control, we will always far short of the ideal without a working of the Spirit. That’s the whole point of this devo series: to consciously allow the Spirit of the Living God greater access to our everyday moments. The Spirit then becomes our solid footing on the slippery slope, allowing us to climb higher and stronger than would be otherwise possible.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16-17a

Amen!