Titus 2:1-15   You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.  Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.  Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.  In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness  and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,  and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.  For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,  while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

This is the last look at the Fruit of the Spirit with a final word on self-control.  The scripture is longer than usual but before we proceed be sure you read it completely before move on.

Okay.  Why did I have you read it?  There is a pattern.  Did you notice how many times Paul mentioned self-control?  Older men, young men, women, slaves.  Because self’ control is essential for growing Christians.  In our speech, authorities, actions, teachings, passions,  self-control not only disciplines us but it is a witness to the world of who we are.  The results of lack of self-control is ungodliness.  It may be your words, a diet, a temptation or whatever it is self-control is many times the difference between being Godly and ungodly.  

Notice I didn’t use any personal stories in this one and it is because the bottom line of my life is my ability to exercise self-control is the difference between me being faithful to God or falling short.  In other words, it so fills my walk that I could almost put any life situation in it.  As we have looked at these Fruit of the Spirit I hope you always remember that the Fruit of the Spirit we have been look at is like the dashboard to how are walk with Christ is working.  When we are letting these fruit lead us we produce a wonderful witness and enjoy a fullness of life.