Funny Words

Love you all, praying for you. 
 
I just love God’s Word, it gives definitions, truth, and steps to success.  Have you ever noticed some words or phrases are confusing at face value?   Take “self-control” for example. Almost an oxymoron. What does that really mean?   The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23-25 lists the last fruit as self-control in some versions of the Bible.  But the Greek word used, is translated temperance. (Moderation, habitual moderation in regards to natural appetites and passions; restrained indulgence.  As temperance in eating or drinking, as opposed to gluttony or drunkenness, moderation of passion, patience.)  Temperance is moderation, self-control seems to infer - you control yourself.  But in fact, that’s the problem, you cannot control yourself.  Time has proven that…  And if you do, there’s another problem.  When you control yourself, that means you’re still in control, you had no control, and now your trying to control it… God isn’t in control, you are.  So the results are the same, lack of temperance.  That’s why it’s a fruit of the Spirit.  Your control cannot bring it about, He needs to be in control.  So self-control almost ironically or reversely - doesn’t really mean control yourself (you can’t).  Perhaps it really means give up your desire to control yourself, your “self’s” desire to be in control… and let God control you.  When God is in control – things go great, when you are in control, it becomes a dumpster fire.  Just the way it is.  Why? Because there’s a difference between God’s way, and man’s way – His way is higher than your way like the heavens are above the earth.   The fruit of the Spirit is self-control, you’re not doing anything, He’s doing it.  Keeping yourself, and it’s desire to control, under control, so the Holy Spirit can be in control.  It’s dying to self, living for God.  Dying to your plans, living by His plans, not thinking like you think, but instead thinking like God thinks.  It’s so opposite, so unnatural, that is has to be a fruit of the Spirit, you couldn’t do it on your own.  You cannot “will yourself” into living above of your will, you have to set your own will aside, to operate in the will of God.  That’s why Jesus said, “Not my will, but your will be done.”  That’s why Jesus instruction on how to pray is, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  There’s no debate in heaven. God speaks, angels move.  There is no free will in heaven – they do what God says, they don’t consider alternatives.  A few did that and were evicted with their leader, now the host of darkness – and it’s not going to end well for them.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, means if God’s will is going to be done, my will isn’t.  To live by His will, instead of your will, you need to first decide, ask the Holy Spirit to help you, and then start living according to His will.  This takes practice, it doesn’t come naturally, it comes supernaturally.  Just a decision to want to, doesn’t mean you actually do.  This is a new order of things, God’s order, not yours.  That means to put your self under submission to God’s will, self-control, you have to let God take control.  It’s His Spirit that does it, not your will.  Not even your will to control yourself.  It’s His Spirit that leads you, you just follow.  The best way to start is PiVAT before dinner.  Learn to get used to His control.  It starts with asking him what He wants you to do, and when.  And then doing it.  It’s not what you think or feel, it’s just ask, hear, obey, and repeat.  You cannot control yourself, you have to learn to let Him be in control.  Starts with time, and thoughts, and money.  But if you do, your life will change trajectory, and destiny.  Not only will you do things differently, you’ll think differently, you’ll plant different seeds, bear different fruit, reach heights you never dreamed.  Praying that you will submit your self under His control. That the Fruit of the Spirit is what flows from Him through you to others.  Praying that Spirit control is what you walk in.  If He controls your thoughts and the action, His results follow, that you could never do.  But He can!  Praying that PiVAT before dinner will be a never miss for you.  So you learn what it feels like – to let Him be in control.  The more you soak in His Word, the easier it gets.  Once you get used to it, and see the fruit, you won’t want to go back.
 
Love you all,
dad