Growing in Faith: The Power of Self-Control
This Sunday at Myrtle House Community Church, Martin O’Brien continued our journey through 2 Peter, exploring the important role of self-control in growing our faith and living a godly life.
2 Peter 1:5–7 encourages us to supplement our faith with moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, affection and love. The Greek word for self-control, enkrateia, speaks of inner strength and the ability to have mastery over our desires, passions and appetites.
Self-control can be difficult, but we were reminded that God has given us everything we need to live a godly life. Following Jesus is a life of grace, but it is also a life where we make every effort to grow and allow God to shape our character.
Galatians 5 reminds us that self-control is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It isn't simply about trying harder or following strict rules. True self-control develops as we surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead us. The more we yield to Him, the more His character becomes evident in our lives.
Godly freedom isn't the freedom to simply do whatever we want. It is the freedom and strength God gives us to choose what is right. When temptation comes, the Holy Spirit enables us to resist what pulls us away from God and instead live according to His purposes.
The challenge is therefore not simply to try harder, but to surrender more deeply. As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, He produces His fruit in us—including the self-control we need to live transformed lives.
The more we yield to the Holy Spirit, the more His character grows in us.