God gives us the fruit of self-control, it is not something that is naturally born within us, but as we go on with Him, fruits grow in our lives little by little. We read in the passage above of a stubborn person; thankfully unlike in times of old we come under God’s grace through Christ and do not have to action the law as detailed above. Described is a person who is stubborn, rebellious, a drunkard, and a glutton. Such a person as this is hard to be around, but what is missing in this person’s life is something of God, self-discipline and self-control. Without God being in a person’s life these things will be missing. When we become Christians, God speaks into our spirit, changing us from the inside out and leading us by His Holy Spirit but we need to submit to God time and time again, yielding of our own way so that God can bring a new way to us. The rebellion, stubbornness and helplessness, disappears as God comes into our lives.

“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell.
(C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce)

Which one are you? Do you submit to God or to yourself?

The Holy Spirit would dwell within us and take control, but won’t when a person is of their own will. We need to co-operate with Him and say… God I give it all to You, I can’t do this on my own.

We say in the Lord’s Prayer.. ‘’ Thy kingdom come’’ and ‘’Thy will be done’’, then often in the next breath speak badly or make self-motivated decisions. God wants us to be self-disciplined, to walk in His way, in which our lives are fruitful with love, joy, peace and kindness, against such there is no law. God wants the best for us, and we can do nothing without Him.

‘’But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.’’ (1Corinthians 2:14)

Can you see fruitfulness in your life? God gives us fruits from the Holy Spirit to change our old nature into the likeness of Christ that appears in us when we submit to God. Can you see fruits being established in your life with love, with joy, and with peace, bringing blessing, provision, understanding and life in abundance?

If this does not describe you, then ask God to come into you so you may receive these things and know these truths.

Amen.