The summit of a Christian's spiritual walk

The summit of a Christian's spiritual walk is self-control. If we know this is the aim of the Holy Spirit, we shall not fall into a place of passivity but shall make good progress in spiritual life. A spiritual Christian is one who has full authority to exercise his own volition.

"The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control" (Ga. 5.22,23).

The work of the Holy Spirit is to bring the believer's outward man into perfect obedience to his his self-control. What the believer must control by his will (Prov. 25.28) are:

a) his own spirit, keeping it neither too hot nor too cold;
b) his own mind and all the rest of the soul's abilities (see 2 Cor. 10.5, Co. 3.2); and
c) his own body (1 Cor. 9.27).

On the one hand we must be united with God and on the other hand subdue our whole being so as to render it obedient to us. This is vital for spiritual life.