God is not nearly as concerned with our ability as He is with our surrender.

But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . self-control. Galatians 5:22–23

Self-control is probably one of the hardest things to master. How often have we been defeated by a bad habit, a lousy attitude, or a wrong mindset? We make promises to improve. We ask someone to hold us accountable. But deep inside, we know that we don’t have the will or the ability to change. We can talk, we can plan, we can read self-help books, but we still find it difficult to overcome and control many of the things that are inside us!

Thankfully, God knows our weakness, and He also knows the remedy! The Bible says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). The only way to gain self-control is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us.

In other words, our key focus is not effortbut surrender—to live moment by moment submissively trusting in the Lord rather than in self. Paul says this is what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (v. 16).

Are you ready for a change? You can change, for God is in you. As you surrender control to Him, He will help you bear the fruit of His likeness.

I am in need, Lord, of Your power so that I might change and grow. I surrender myself to You. Please help me to understand how to be submissive to You that I might be filled with Your Spirit.

上帝看重我们的顺服，更胜于我们的能力。

圣灵所结的果子，就是……节制。-加拉太书5章22-23节

节制或许是最不容易学会的品德。很多时候，我们都无法克服坏习惯、恶劣的态度，或是错误的心态。我们承诺要改进，并请人帮助我们，提醒、鼓励我们。但在我们内心深处，我们自知缺乏意志力，也没能力改变自己。我们能畅谈、能筹划，并阅读有助于克制自己的书。然而，我们就是无法胜过或掌控我们的心思意念！

感谢上帝，祂深知我们的软弱，祂也有解救的良方！圣经上说：“圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制”（加拉太书5章22-23节）。如果我们要学会节制，唯一的方法就是让圣灵来管理我们。

换言之，我们的焦点并不在于竭尽全力，乃是在于全然顺服。我们应时刻信靠顺服上帝，而不再靠着自己。如同保罗所说：“当顺着圣灵而行。”（16节）

你要改变吗？你能够改变，因为上帝住在你的心中。只要让上帝掌权，祂就会帮助你结出圣灵的果子，让你能更像祂。

主啊，我需要祢的大能，让我能够改变和成长。
我将自己交在祢面前，求祢让我明白，
如何降服于祢，好让我能被圣灵充满。

Galatians 5:16-25New International Version (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.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. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

整理：于姊妹