SPEAKER_00 0:00

You're sitting on the couch with your child, and she's telling you a very detailed story about something that happened at school. Somebody said this, then somebody did that, and you're trying to follow along. Then your phone dings, you glance over, and without even thinking, you reach for it. But what if that little moment is actually an opportunity to practice self-control? Welcome to God Says So, the scripture-rooted podcast created to help Christian moms just like you grow in God's Word, strengthen your faith, live by what God says, and pass his truth onto the children you love. So the next generation grows up rooted in Scripture. Hi, I'm Donna, and I hope that you'll feel right at home here. Together, we'll find encouragement and joy in what God says. You'll leave with one practical way to bring his truth into your everyday family life. So come join me. I can't wait to share today's message with you. Hey, friend, welcome back. I'm so glad you're here. If you've been listening to the God Says So podcast, you know that every episode comes back to the same thing: God's word. One scripture passage, one prayer, and one practical step to help you live by what God says in your everyday life. Today we're finishing the fruit of the Spirit in Everyday Family Life series with the final fruit. Self-control. Our scripture for today is Proverbs 25, 28. God's word says, a person without self-control is like a city with broken down walls. Okay, so let's think about this. So kind of just picture this in your mind. A city with broken down walls is left exposed and unprotected. And Proverbs uses this type of image to show us what life can look like when we have no restraint. So, like whatever impulse comes along, whatever reaction rises up, it gets to take over. And I think sometimes when we hear the word self-control, we immediately think, I need more discipline, I need more willpower, I need to try harder. But remember, self-control is part of the fruit of the spirit. So this isn't simply about becoming better at controlling ourselves through sheer determination. It's about the Holy Spirit working in us and helping us make choices that honor God. Self-control doesn't mean you never feel the urge to do something. It means the urge doesn't automatically get to decide what you do next. So let's go back to your phone. So your child is talking, your phone dings, and immediately you want to check it. Maybe it's important, but maybe it can wait. And in that little moment, self-control might simply look like leaving the phone where it is, looking at your child and listening. Now that may not feel very spiritual, but think about what just happened. The impulse said, check it. And you pause long enough to choose something different. That's where self-control becomes very real. Sometimes we think the big spiritual moments are the ones that matter most. But so much of following Jesus happens in those tiny decisions nobody else even notices. Okay, so ask yourself: do I have to react right now? Do I have to say the first thing that comes to my mind? Do I have to respond to every impulse just because I feel it? No. Self-control simply means those things don't have to be in charge. With the Holy Spirit working in us, there can be another moment in between. A pause, a choice, and a chance to say, Holy Spirit, help me choose what honors God right now. And sometimes that little pause changes everything. Now, does that mean you're going to get it right every time? Of course not. There are still going to be times when we react too quickly, times when we say something and immediately think, ah, yikes, I probably shouldn't have said that. But this entire fruit of the Spirit series has never been about becoming perfect. It has been about allowing the Holy Spirit to continue changing us as we follow Jesus. And I think that's a beautiful place to end this series because look at what we've talked about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This was never a checklist of things we have to accomplish so we can become quote unquote good Christians. This is the Holy Spirit producing his fruit in us, changing us and making us more like Jesus. And our children get to experience that fruit in our everyday lives. Not because mom is perfect, but because mom is following Jesus and God is still working in her. Here's your one practical step for today. Okay, so today, notice one moment when you want to react immediately. And before you do, pause and pray. Holy Spirit, help me choose what honors God right now. Then give yourself that moment to choose your response. That's it. One pause, one prayer, one opportunity to practice self-control. Real quick before we pray, the God says so shop is now open, and I'd love for you to come take a look around. You'll find scripture-inspired apparel and merch for women and kids created to help keep God's word closed and share his truth. Come visit us at godsaysso.com. Okay, let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word and thank you for the work your Holy Spirit is doing in us. Holy Spirit, produce self-control in me. Help me recognize those moments when I want to react without thinking. Help me pause and choose what honors you. And when I get it wrong, help me recognize it, make it right, and keep growing. Thank you for everything you have taught us through this Fruit of the Spirit series. Continue shaping us and making us more like Jesus and help our children see your fruit growing in our lives. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen. Although we have finished our Fruit of the Spirit series, we're definitely not finished talking about God's word. So come back next time as we continue taking one scripture passage, one prayer, and one practical step to help you live by what God says in your everyday life and pass it on. Oh, and if you haven't already, please follow the God Says So podcast so you never miss an episode. Oh, wait, one more thing. If the Holy Spirit puts someone on your heart while you were listening to this episode, would you please share this podcast with them? And together, we can reach more families, all for God's glory. Until next time, stay rooted in Scripture. Live by what God says, and pass it on.