The Fruit of Self-Control
Self-control is a battle that many fight but few conquer. People strive against their desires, wrestling with habits, passions, and impulses that seem to overpower them. Many hold out for months, even years, only to eventually surrender, convinced that willpower alone is not enough.
And they’re right—it isn’t.
2 Timothy 1:7
“God gave us a spirit of power and of love and of self-control.”
Galatians 5:23
” … control over desires: against such there is no law.”
Where Does it Come From?
The key to victory over these desires is found in what God has given us: a spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
But what exactly is this spirit? Is Paul referring to the Holy Spirit within us, or is he speaking of a renewed, recreated human spirit that God has fashioned for His people?
And if self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23), does that mean it is solely a gift of the Holy Spirit, or is it something my own spirit must develop?
The truth is, these aren’t in conflict. The Holy Spirit works within our spirit, shaping and strengthening it, awakening in us the ability to live beyond our own strength. That’s where self-control comes from—not just from an external force acting on us, but from a supernatural power working through us.
And that’s why Galatians 5:23 names self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit. It’s not just about restraining desires. It’s about desires being transformed.
More Than Just Willpower
I used to think self-control just meant gritting my teeth and saying no—resisting that extra slice of cake, biting my tongue instead of snapping back at someone, or forcing myself to shut down my phone instead of scrolling for hours.
But the more I struggled, the more I realized: self-control is more than willpower.
The Greek word ἐγκράτεια (enkrateia) in Galatians 5:23 doesn’t just mean restraining myself—it’s deeper. It’s a divinely empowered discipline, not just my own effort.
Because if self-control was just about my strength, I’d fail every time. My willpower runs out. My motivation fades. But enkrateia is about something God builds in me.
It’s the strength that doesn’t collapse under pressure. It’s not just white-knuckling my way through temptation—it’s being anchored in something stronger than my impulses.
What Are We Fighting?
And that’s the real battle, isn’t it? Impulses. Desires. That deep, gnawing craving for something.
The Bible uses the Greek word ἐπιθυμία (epithymia) for desires in Galatians 5:23, and it’s not just talking about surface-level temptation.
It’s not just the obvious struggles, like trying to quit smoking or avoiding that text to an ex. It’s about anything that pulls at me, demanding to be satisfied.
For me, it’s the urge to be right, to prove myself, to make sure people see me the way I want to be seen.
It’s the craving for comfort when I feel exhausted, the way I reach for distractions instead of dealing with what’s really going on inside me.
It’s the part of me that wants immediate relief—whether it’s through food, entertainment, people’s approval, or just shutting down completely and avoiding reality.
And sometimes, those desires feel like they own me. I don’t even realize I’m feeding them until they’re already controlling me.
This isn’t just about addiction or temptation in the obvious sense. It’s about anything we want so much that we would rather have it than have God.
And that’s the reality of losing self-control, isn’t it? Every time I give in, every time I let my desires win, I am declaring—whether I mean to or not—”I want this more than I want God.”
That realization cuts deep. Because I know it’s not true. I know nothing in this world compares to Him. And yet, my actions say otherwise.
The Shift
That’s why this fight isn’t about willpower—it’s about transformation.
Self-control isn’t just about resisting desires—it’s about desiring something greater. If I try to fight my impulses with nothing but my own strength, I’ll lose every time.
But if I let my desire for God’s presence become greater than my desire for whatever momentary thing is pulling me in, that’s when the fight starts to shift.
And that’s the key: self-control isn’t about resisting—it’s about loving something more.
Here’s what I’m realizing: self-control isn’t about being perfect.. It’s about who I stay connected to. Because when I’m connected to Him, self-control isn’t a fight—it’s a fruit.
I’m still learning this. Some days, it’s easy to push aside the things I know aren’t good for me. Other days, I fall flat on my face.
The Cycle of Failure
This is where the real danger lies—not just in failing, but in believing the lie that failure defines us.
I’ve been there. Maybe you have, too. The moment of failure, the rush of regret, the internal voice that says:
“You’ll never overcome this.”
“You’re too weak.”
“Why even try again?”
Before long, that voice becomes a prison. The enemy wants to twist our failures into chains, to make us believe that self-control is an impossible battle.
But that’s a lie.
God doesn’t cast me away when I stumble. He doesn’t withdraw His presence when I fail. His mercy doesn’t disappear just because I lost a battle.
Because His love isn’t conditional. His mercy isn’t temporary. His kindness doesn’t run out.
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22-23
Even when I fail for the hundredth time, His mercy is waiting for me in the morning. Even when I fall short of what I know I should be, His kindness covers me.
“For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
— Psalm 100:5
The enemy whispers, “You’ve failed too much. You should be better than this by now. God must be tired of forgiving you.”
But that’s a lie. Because God has never once turned His back on those who love Him. He never tires of forgiving, never grows weary of showing kindness, never stops longing for me to turn back to Him.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.”
— Psalm 103:12-13
And here’s the truth: Self-control isn’t about never failing. It’s about staying connected to the One who gives me the strength to stand back up.
“Though he falls, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”
— Psalm 37:24
I will stumble. But I won’t be abandoned.
I will fail. But He won’t reject me.
Because He upholds me with His own hand. And His mercy is stronger than my mistakes.
Walking in True Freedom
The more I lean into His presence, the more I realize: Self-control is not about me. It’s about Him.
The stronger my connection with Him, the stronger the fruits of the Spirit grow in me. And the more self-control becomes a byproduct of that relationship, not a fight to maintain on my own.
So, I’ll keep seeking Him. I’ll keep pressing into His love. Because self-control isn’t about forcing myself to be better—it’s about letting Him be greater in me.
And when that happens? That’s when self-control isn’t a burden anymore. That’s when it’s freedom.
True self-control is not about what I resist—it’s about who I pursue. And I choose Him.
Appendix of References
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Galatians 5:23
“…gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Lamentations 3:22–23
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Psalm 100:5
“For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 103:12–13
“As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him.”
Psalm 37:24
“Though he falls, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.”
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