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September 4 – The Fruit of Self-Control

 

Galatians 5:22-23

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

SITREP:

How do you stay in control when chaos breaks out around you—or inside you?

Paul’s letter to the Galatians confronts a dangerous mindset: trying to earn God’s favor by rule-following rather than Spirit-following. In a culture divided between legalism and lawlessness, Paul lays out a better way—a life transformed from the inside out by the Spirit of God.

These verses list the natural outcome—not the forced behavior—of walking daily with the Holy Spirit. These aren’t traits you manufacture through gritted teeth. They’re fruit—evidence that God’s power is working through your surrendered life. And one of the most underrated but critical of these is self-control.

Breakdown of the Verse:

"The fruit of the Spirit…" – Not a to-do list, but a result. Stay connected to the Spirit and this is what grows.

"…is love, joy, peace, forbearance…" – These are not fleeting emotions. They’re strength under pressure.

"…kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness…" – These qualities show up when life squeezes you.

"…and self-control." – The ability to master your impulses and maintain discipline. The quiet backbone of spiritual maturity.

"Against such things there is no law." – No rulebook can produce this. No policy can contain it. This is Spirit-born character.

How This Shapes a Soldier’s Faith:

You’ve been trained to harness adrenaline, to respond with clarity under fire, to stay sharp when your body wants to quit. That’s self-control. But spiritual self-control goes deeper. It’s not just about what you do—it’s about who you are when no one’s watching.

Temptation doesn’t respect your MOS. It follows you home. Rage, addiction, lust, and pride—they wait in the shadows. And when your flesh rises up, you need something stronger than discipline alone. You need the Spirit.

Self-control isn’t about gritting your teeth—it’s about surrendering to God every day. When you walk with Him, He strengthens what you can’t. He calms the storm in your chest. He teaches you to pause before reacting. And over time, He makes you someone your brothers and sisters can count on—not just in combat, but in life.

ENDEX:

Spiritual maturity isn’t flashy. It’s forged in private battles, quiet decisions, and the daily grind of walking with the Spirit.

You’ve mastered the rifle. Now master the heart. Let God grow in you the kind of strength that doesn’t fire back—but stands firm. That doesn’t break under pressure—but responds with peace. That doesn’t chase impulse—but follows the Spirit.

AAR:

What evidence is your life showing when the pressure mounts—flesh reactions or Spirit fruit? Galatians 5:22–23 lays out the unmistakable signs of a life led by the Holy Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These aren’t decorations—they’re the battle-tested traits of someone surrendered to God in the thick of the fight. Your challenge: Choose one fruit you’ve been weakest in lately—maybe patience, maybe self-control. Ask the Spirit to grow it in you, then put it to the test this week. Fruit grows under fire, not comfort.

Fruit Is Proof You’re on the Right Side of the Fight

You can shout loyalty and quote Scripture, but if the fruit isn’t there, something’s off. Galatians 5 isn’t a checklist—it’s a combat-readiness report. These traits are what keep you grounded when tempers flare, when plans fall apart, when pride wants to take the lead. This is how the world knows you’re Spirit-led—when peace shows up in chaos, when kindness responds to insult, when self-control holds the line. Don’t just pray for power—pray for fruit. Because a life bearing this kind of evidence? That’s the life that wins battles the enemy can’t explain and hell can’t stop.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

  • Name
  • Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
  • Service Branch
  • Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

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