Gentleness and Self-Control

These are my extracts from Joyce Meyer on the last two Fruits of the Spirit.

Gentleness (Humility)

Humility is a lack of contentiousness, i.e. don’t be disagreeable and seek arguments.

Put away your pride and ego. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

James 4:7 “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Pride is the opposite of humility. It is the most stubborn attitude to conquer.

Per James 3:13, humility comes from wisdom, and, per Proverbs 11:2, with humility comes wisdom.

Humility is freedom from pride and arrogance; having a modest view of one’s own importance and rank – always seek guidance from God, rather than relying on your own will or way.

Pride includes worry, insincerity, self-righteousness and being opinionated.

Pride destroys us, but humility promotes and blesses us (God’s humility overcame Satan’s pride).

Pride includes independence and self-sufficiency.

God’s power works best in our humility (weakness), as it reveals how much we need Him.

A humble person is a happy person, because they aren’t trying to impress anybody - they are simply trying to be the best they can be at what God has gifted them with, being satisfied with who they are.

Meekness is strength under control. Wait on God, rather than taking action on your own strength and agenda.

A person with a humble attitude is willing to receive and never mistreat anyone because you think you are better than them.

Have a healthy view of yourself – be modest, not lowly, inferior or superior.

Your motives must be right, glorifying God and truly helping others; otherwise it is gloating or pride.

Self-Control (The super fruit)

What we focus on is what we develop in life – you can control yourself if you really want to, if you make it important to you.

All the fruits of the Spirit are held in place by self-control.

If you don’t have self-control, you won’t have peace.

Self-control is freedom, because it helps you have what you want to have, but will never have without it.

Prune bad habits from your life and take control.

Per John 15:5-8, remain in Him and He will remain in you.

Per Philippians 4:13, “I do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.”

We can do what’s right with God’s help – He doesn’t give us guidance or instruction without giving us His strength and support.

We can behave really well around people we want to impress – God is everywhere and sees everything, so learn to control yourself for the love of God, to glorify and please Him.

If you want a change in your life, you have to change something that you are doing.

Start each day asking for God’s help in prayer – you won’t get hep from God unless you ask for it.

Agree with God that you will develop self-control with His help, instead of sticking with what the devil wants of you.

Discipline your thoughts and attitudes – you cannot be blessed while being rebellious.

Stop doing things, even those you don’t like, for people, and rather do them for the Lord (and his love).

Be positive. Don’t let negative feelings control you.

You can make yourself happy by getting yourself off your mind.

It’s not our circumstances that steal our joy – it’s how we think or allow ourselves to feel about them.

You can use your self-control any time you want to.

God cares more about our character and the quality of our hearts than what we can do.

Use self-control to form new healthy, positive habits – address what God’s been convicting you about right now – make your mind up that you are going to do it – it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Put something in spiritually by thinking about it mentally.

You can argue with someone’s words, but you can’t argue with their consistent action.

Your problem is not necessarily your problem per se but rather how you act because of your problem. Make a plan to go out and behave yourself, to behave like God.

If you shut other people out, you imprison yourself, because you need to be willing to be hurt in order to be able to love.

Be the first person to do a good thing. Don’t wait for the other person. You reap what you sew.

Don’t look at what people don’t do and in so doing fail to see what they do actually do.

Stop asking God to do things you can easily do yourself and just don’t want to.

If you focus on what’s important to God, He will focus on providing for every need you have.