Self-Control as a Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23

Hey, y’all!

Have you ever tried to change a bad habit on your own? Maybe you decided to quit gossiping, curb your temper, or break free from an addiction—but no matter how hard you tried, you kept slipping back into old patterns. If so, you’re not alone.

Here’s the truth: self-control isn’t about trying harder—it’s about growing deeper in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 gives us a powerful reminder of where true self-control comes from:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Notice something? Self-control is not something we produce—it’s something the Holy Spirit produces in us. It’s a fruit of the Spirit, meaning it grows naturally when we stay connected to God.

So today, let’s unpack what it means for self-control to be a fruit of the Spirit and how we can cultivate it in our daily lives.

What Does It Mean to Bear Fruit?

Jesus used the imagery of fruit to describe the spiritual life of a believer. In John 15:5, He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Think about that for a second. Jesus didn’t say we might bear fruit—He said if we abide in Him, we will bear fruit. But He also makes it clear that apart from Him, we can do nothing.

That’s the key to self-control. It’s not about willpower or trying to be a better person. It’s about staying connected to Jesus so that His Spirit can work in us.

When a tree is healthy, it naturally produces fruit. You don’t see an apple tree straining and struggling to pop out an apple—it happens because it’s rooted, nourished, and alive. The same is true for us. When we abide in Christ, self-control flows from us—not because we’re forcing it, but because His Spirit is working within us.

Why Is Self-Control a Fruit of the Spirit?

Some might wonder why self-control is even included in the list of spiritual fruit. After all, isn’t self-control just about making good choices?

Not quite. Biblical self-control is about surrendering our will to God’s will. It’s not just about managing behavior—it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our actions, desires, and decisions.

Left to ourselves, we often make choices based on emotions, impulses, and worldly influences. But when the Holy Spirit is at work in us, He gives us the strength to resist temptation, respond with wisdom, and choose what honors God.

How Does the Holy Spirit Produce Self-Control in Us?

If self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, then how does it actually grow in our lives? Here are a few ways:

1. The Holy Spirit Changes Our Desires

Before we knew Christ, our natural tendency was to follow our own desires—whether they were good for us or not. But as we walk with God, He starts to change our hearts.

Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

That means the Holy Spirit doesn’t just help us do the right thing—He helps us want the right thing. As we spend time with God, we start desiring what pleases Him rather than what pleases our flesh.

2. The Holy Spirit Strengthens Us in Weakness

Let’s be real—self-control is hard. Whether it’s resisting a temptation, holding back an angry word, or staying disciplined in prayer, there are moments when we just don’t have the strength.

But here’s the good news: we don’t have to rely on our own strength!

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

That means when we feel weak, we can lean on His power instead of our own.

3. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Renew Our Minds

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”

A big part of self-control starts in our thoughts. If we let the world shape our thinking, we’ll struggle to live with discipline. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we begin to see things from God’s perspective.

How to Cultivate the Fruit of Self-Control

If self-control is something the Holy Spirit produces in us, does that mean we don’t have to do anything? Not at all! Just like a gardener has to water, prune, and care for a tree to help it bear fruit, we have a role to play in cultivating self-control.

Here are some practical ways to grow in self-control:

• Stay Rooted in God’s Word – The more we fill our minds with Scripture, the more we’ll be able to resist temptation and make wise choices.
• Pray for Strength – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in self-control. The more we depend on Him, the more He empowers us.
• Be Intentional with Your Choices – Self-control isn’t about big, dramatic decisions—it’s about small, daily choices that honor God.
• Surround Yourself with Encouragement – Having godly friends who keep you accountable can make a huge difference. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
• Remember That It’s a Process – Just like fruit doesn’t grow overnight, neither does self-control. Give yourself grace, and trust that God is working in you.

Final Thoughts

Y’all, self-control is not about trying harder—it’s about trusting deeper. It’s about staying connected to Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit transform us from the inside out.

When we abide in Him, self-control becomes more than just a discipline—it becomes a natural overflow of our relationship with God.

So, if you’re struggling with self-control today, don’t beat yourself up. Instead, turn to the Holy Spirit, stay rooted in the Word, and trust that He is producing fruit in you—one step at a time.

What’s one area where you’d like to see more self-control in your life? Drop a comment and let’s encourage each other in this journey!

Stay encouraged, and keep growing in Him!