Spirit Powered Self-Control

"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."

Proverbs 29:11

Without the power of the Holy Spirit we lack self-control.  It is a bit ironic of a word if you know the Biblical meaning.  In chapter five of Galatians we are told that self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit, meaning that it comes from God.  Yet we call it self-control.  Interesting to think about, but nonetheless, without the power of the Holy Spirit we can, and naturally will, "give full vent to our spirit".  This is not hard to imagine for you I'm sure because this is something we all live with.  We have a heart that often wants to do the right things, but as Paul puts it, "for I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (Rom. 7:15).  Giving full vent to our spirit is a pure lack of self-control.  Some versions put the word 'anger' instead of spirit, which also makes sense given the second part of this verse says that a wise man quietly holds it back.  But, the Hebrew word here can be translated to mean wind, breath, life, anger, or spirit.  As a person in recovery I know that I am fully capable of giving full vent to more than just my anger, so rather I need to be reminded that it is foolish to give full vent to my entire spirit.  This is whatever you lack self-control in without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Maybe you can't control your eating, alcoholism, your sarcasm, anxiety, worry, fear, jealousy, lust, whatever it is, the Lord is saying here it is foolish to give full vent to that!  We need to know the areas of our lives where we naturally tend to give full vent to.  These areas must be identified and we must pray specifically to God to guide us and heal us in these areas of our lives.  We must pray for the fruit of self-control that comes from God in order to not give full vent to these, so that we don't have to continue to feel the hurt, shame, and guilt from continuing to walk in these dark areas of our lives.  Don't you want to stop feeling the hurt time and time again, when you realize yet again, you have given full vent to that specific sin in your life that you don't want to do, yet continue to turn back to time and time again?  Today, be wise, and quietly hold it back, meaning use self-control.  The way to do that is to ask God for it, because it is a fruit that comes only from the Holy Spirit and following Jesus.  Walk in wisdom today, praising God for the self-control you have in your life.  Thank Him for the ability to not give full vent to your passions and desires, and thank Him for the newness of life that brings peace and joy when we follow Him.  Love you all!  Praying for you and yours!  Have a blessed day, it's your choice!