The world will know we’re Christian by the “fruit we bear.” The apostle Paul describes this Fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness/generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
So how do we cultivate a life that bears good fruit? Each week during our sermon series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we will offer “Gardening Tips” to help us to do just that. We invite you to choose one practice each week and make that a part of your spiritual formation.
- Self-Control
Mind:
In order to practice Self-Control, we need to become conscious of our habits, how we spend our time, or what we consume.
Keep a journal this week of a particular habit that may need to be reined in with self-control. Note:
- When or with whom it occurs through the week.
- What are your reflex responses?
- What would self-control look like?
Body:
Our lives are very cluttered. The discipline of fasting is self-control in action. Fasting is an active and time limited simplicity. It clears the clutter, quells the noise, makes room for God to speak and move in our lives.
Make a plan to fast from technology this week. What will you commit to?
- Putting your phone away during meals or after 9pm?
- Limiting screen time to a certain amount of time?
What will you choose instead?
- Presence with others around the table?
- Presence with God in prayer?
- A good night’s rest?
Spirit:
“Confession is good for the soul.”
Find a trusted friend with whom to share your confession, or write it out in a journal. Sharing our confession with another person or getting it out of our head and seeing it written down on paper heightens our awareness of our ongoing need for self-control in that area and helps us to be more accountable in our behavior.
By Rev. Jayne Davis
