The Serpent’s Bite.

If you dig a pit, you fall in it; if you break through a wall, a snake bites you. (Eccl 10:8) (Good news)

In this Bible Study, we are going to talk about the fruit of Temperance. Another word for Temperance would be self-control. Not much is taught about the fruit of temperance, but it is necessary to know about it. For us to better understand it, we need to walk in our identity with Christ. Next, we need to see that the fruit of Temperance lies inside of us—

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. ( Gal 5:22-23)

If you are in Christ, The fruit of Temperance (Self-control) is inside of you. The way a Fruit is developed is through a seed. You got to make sure you sow it in good ground. When your heart gets hardened by sin, it is difficult to water the seed. That seed needs to find a soft and compatible ground to grow its roots inside.

To make your heart soft, we must humble ourselves. God gives grace to the humble. The moment we stumble and fall into sin, we need to do the following—

1- Confess your sin

2- Repent

3- Put your hand on the plow.

As we plow that seed and allow the Spirit to water it, we shall see how Self-Control will rise up. Spending time in prayer and the Word is key. Our inner being needs to be strengthened to override the flesh. A good example was when the disciples joined Jesus to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus separated himself a distance from his disciples to spend some time in prayer alone. When he came back, he saw his disciples asleep instead of praying. (Matt 26: 39-41)

Jesus reproved his disciples but showed some grace. He recognized their efforts but lovingly corrected them by saying –The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus went on to give us a pattern of prayer–One hour daily ( Matt 26:40) Can you dedicate 1 hour of prayer daily to watch and pray?

A Lack Of Self Control And It’s Consequences.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Prov 25:28) (KJV)

I like that verse. It shows us that we are like a city. In Biblical times, a city was surrounded by walls. In some verses, it is compared to a hedge. ( Job 1:10) What does Eccl 10:8 says? That a wall torn down will cause us to get bitten by a serpent.

As we study the life of Job, we see a example of a lack of self control. Satan was trying to afflict Job. God was boasting about his servant Job. Friends, when you are being tested, it could be that God is impressed with you. He is, most likely, boasting about you in front of Satan. ( Job 1:8, Job 2:3)

Satan is diligent, so he did not give up regarding Job and tried to bring evil upon him. He managed to convince God for permission to afflict him. Now, we all know that God is a loving Father. As a Father, I would want to protect my son. How would it be if I permitted a wild pit bull to attack my son?

Here is where you need to do some digging into the Word. God was acting as a Judge, not a loving Father. The heavenly Court was being conducted in heaven, and Satan obtained a legal right to afflict Job. Why?

Job 3:25 explains it all. He was stressed and worried about his family and goods. His lack of self control regarding his thoughts affected him. It gave a legal right for Satan to afflict him because of fear. Let’s look at the verse below—

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Observe the last two words–A sound mind. In the Greek, a sound mind is one that is under control. Paul’s spiritual son Timothy has experienced people abandoning his church. Persecution was was at all all-time high, but Paul told Timothy to be at peace. To keep his thoughts under control and have the mind of Christ.

Have you been fearful or had a hard time controlling your thoughts? You are not alone. It’s time to learn to control your thoughts. It is time to practice self control. Not exercising it will have serious repercussion in your life.

Shake Off Your Serpent.

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat and fastened on his hand.  And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. ( Acts 28:3-5)

The word tells us that Satan comes as a serpent. (Rev 20:2) When we give place to Satan due to sin or ignorance of the word, he will bite us. Notice what Paul did? He shook him off. Likewise, we do the same as we repent from sin and walk in our authority. The word says that we have authority over Satan and his demons. (Luke 10:19) Let’s learn from Paul’s example and shake off that serpent. God bless.