Today, we finish our deeper examination of each Fruit. We’re going to do another day of “Fruit Inspection,” where we examine individual fruits more closely and see if these fruits are present in our lives. Today, we’ll examine gentleness and self-control. 

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Good morning! Hope you had a great weekend. It’s spring break here in Madison!

Today, we’ll wrap up our study on the fruit of the Spirit, looking at gentleness and self-control.

Gentleness, like meekness in the Beatitudes, is often mistaken for weakness, but it’s actually strength under control. In a world that values brashness, true gentleness means standing firm on what truly matters while treating others with kindness and respect. Not every issue is worth a battle.

Self-control is crucial because it contrasts with the works of the flesh—living impulsively and selfishly. The world promotes self-expression, but scripture teaches self-discipline. Self-control helps us respect ourselves and others, maintain healthy habits, and resist temptation. It reminds us that just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.

Developing these fruits isn’t about trying harder—it’s about allowing the Spirit to work in us. Like a gardener tending plants, we must give the Spirit space to grow these qualities in our lives through prayer, devotion, service, and worship.

The fruit of the Spirit is essential for our faith. Tomorrow, we’ll begin Galatians 6 as we near the end of our study. Have a great day!