“But the fruit of the Spirit is...self-control.” ~ Galatians 5:22; 23
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” ~ Luke 15:7-10
I am always amazed when someone who has read their Bible will seek to make sense out of sin; as when someone commits a certain sin. Yet I often find such people doing just that.
If we study the verses pertaining to the fruit of the Spirit, when a child of God submits to the Holy Spirit's influence one of the results is a person who can keep themselves under their own control. They are not quick to wrath, but are always ready to listen for an answer rather than make a fool out of themselves through impulsive choices.
Now we are looking at the essence of self-control. Just what is the opposite of that, but one who is not under their own control? What does that look like? Impatience, lust, anger, rage? When we see a person who is uncontrollably enraged how do we describe that person but as one who is mad. A person who is insane does not make sense. They do things that are destructive for themselves and those they know. They are often not safe to be around.
I will make a speculation that what we call insanity is actually someone who is lost deeply in their own sin. Remember that when you see a homeless person shouting angrily at a non-existent person.
Look at the story of Lucifer: a beautiful angel who apparently led worship in heaven and yet caused the greatest mutinies for all eternity. This fallen angel, in spite of what he knows to be true, still seeks to usurp the throne of God. He does this even after having experienced an irresistable urge to do what God says, like when the Lord allowed him to test Job. In spite of his rebellious ways he still has to obey when the Lord speaks to him.
On one hand, he is seeking to overturn the Godhead; on the other he must submit to God because of who He is. Knowing full well he will lose in the end he still seeks to fight God. If that is not the epitome of insanity I do not know what is. Satan is often a being that is without self-control.
The Gospel is the opportunity for even the most wretched sinners to be at peace with God, yet many will end up in perdition and destruction. Though we have a beautiful illustration in God's word of Him rejoicing over anyone who responds to Him with repentance many find submission to the Gospel repugnant. Sin makes no sense, except when one is in sin.
We should relent of trying to make sense of what people do, even those who know better having learned the Lord's will. When we make a choice for sin it is often because, at the time, sin seems like a good idea.
When Satan usurps God's throne, that will be the day sin makes sense. It just will not happen.
Hmmm...
Read more articles by Robert Barra or search for articles on the same topic or others.
