“Fruitful”, my church's 6-week study on the Fruit of the Spirit, has been tearing me up! Week 3 snatched me in an extra special way. While exploring how patience is proven by testing and faithfulness is revealed over time, this statement was made:
THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES US RELIABLE
Roll with me as I unpack my thoughts…
Submission to the Spirit’s leading produces reliability. He guides us in being steady and dependable, leading us to align with the Father’s will as it is made known. This isn’t about perfection. We aren’t called to be perfect but rather to allow ourselves to be perfected over time by the Holy Spirit at work in and through us. This yielding produces predictability in character. A surrendered person is a reliable person, and a reliable person is consistent.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24, NIV
Self-control looks like prepping tasty, nutritious meals on Sundays and Thursdays and eating what’s been prepared.
A lack of self-control looks like eating my planned meals and still making a random, late-night trip to Wendy’s because sleepiness felt like hunger.
Food Noise: 1
Mr. Sandman: 0
Is this an unsurrendered area? Eh. The fact that I’m even sharing this means the desire to be free is there. Efforts are being made. The problem is that it sometimes feels like I’m entrusting this battle to the Lord, and then taking it back one scoop of ice cream or slice of pizza at a time.
I’m disciplined and consistent in so many areas, though! That’s what frustrates me. Food just isn’t one of my disciplines…yet. I have no shame in admitting that my willpower falls short. Everyone has their struggle. This is mine…for now. I need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to conquer craving empty calories and ultra-processed foods.
The Lord’s grace is sufficient, but my want to has to become consistent. Surrender precedes consistency. God will strengthen me to push the plate away, but the choice to move my arms and lock my lips is on me.
If I don’t allow Jesus to rule and reign over my life, there will be things I never rule and reign over.
Dr. Dharius Daniels
SURRENDER > SELF-CONTROL > CONSISTENCY > DOMINION
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-27, NIV
We have been pre-blessed to rule and reign. If dominion is our portion, then surely I can have victory over portion control! I WILL develop a healthy relationship with food. In Jesus’ name, amen.
LET’S REFLECT
14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. Romans 8:14-15
In what areas do you sense the Lord leading you deeper into freedom in Him?
What will life look like on the other side of surrender?
Sincerely,
LaToya NaShae