Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Modesty and Continency

Fruit of the Holy Spirit:

The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the summation of all the visible signs of our new life in Christ Jesus. You can think of them as the core substance that informs the world of our christianity. Therefore all christians are expected to live by the standard and influence of the Spirit, and not the flesh. Indeed, there is no law against the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

• But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

Generally, we have twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit. However, we shall consider two of these in this article. These are modesty and continency. Meanwhile, below are the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit:

1. Charity

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Benignity (Kindness)

6. Goodness

7. Longanimity (Long-suffering and Perseverance)

8. Mildness

9. Faith

10. Modesty

11. Continency

12. Chastity 

Please read the introduction to the characteristics of the new life in Christ through the fruit of the Holy Spirit here.

• Modesty

Modesty is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that eliminates pride and greed from those who possess it. It is therefore an essential catalyst for humility and contentment. Meanwhile, understand that modesty can also help us become patient with the fault of others, and can somewhat eliminate idolatry, especially in the way we view ourselves.

Note: You can think of idolatry as an instance where people have extreme admiration for themselves, objects, or man-made things, and as such treat them as their god.

Pease read on the supremacy of God here.

Modesty as a gift of the Holy Spirit is defined as the act of being contented with who we are, what we are, and whatever we have; while simultaneously returning all glory to God whenever any good happens to us.

In Matthew chapter 23, Jesus Christ expressed disapproval on the lifestyle of the pharisees, and one reason for this disapproval was based on the the fact that they lacked modesty. The pharisees were attention seekers who lived a conspicuous lifestyle under the guise of being pious and religious teachers. For this reason, Jesus clearly stated that we must not do what they do because they do not practice what they preach.

• The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 'Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others - Matthew 23:2-7.

Please read on the concept of justification by faith here.

It is quite dangerous to live a life devoid of modesty. This is true because a lack of modesty in one's life can become scandalous to others. In fact, this was one of the reasons for which he disapproved of the Pharisee's lifestyle. In our world today, many young people see a variety of lifestyles lacking modesty on social media, and may become willing to carry out fraudulent actions toward achieving such lifestyles.

You can read motivational quotes for students here.

It is important to categorically state that modesty doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy the best lifestyles. In fact, it is good to enjoy the best of lifestyles to the glory of God. However, we should not embark on fraudulent activities for the sake of such flamboyant lifestyle. Also, it is much better that we adorn ourselves with a modest lifestyle through self-control and good reputation, rather than gold or very expensive attires.

• Do not let your adorning be external - the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear - but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. - 1st Peter 3:3-4.

Please read on the moral lessons learnt from the prodigal son here.

With regards to the above, modesty presents us with an opportunity to perform a greater good. For instance, a person may choose to buy a decent, and less expensive car, instead of purchasing a variety of expensive set of cars. This action of modesty will result into a extra disposable income for such individual which can be channeled into charity. Remember that charity covers a multitude of sins (1st Peter 4:8).

Please read on Jesus' teaching on giving here.

The 6th, 7th, 9th, and 10th commandments all point towards modesty. By this, I mean that the practice of modesty can help us restrict ourselves to our rightful belongings. The commandments are summarized accordingly below:

• Thou shall not commit adultery: Being modest restrict (or limit) married couples to having sexual intimacy with their respective partner alone.

• Thou shall not steal: Being modest gives us a sense of contentment with whatever God blesses us with, no matter how little it is.

• Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife: Being modest eliminates a strong yearning towards having a neighbors wife, regardless how strong the temptation presents itself.

• Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's goods: Being modest kills the strong cravings toward our neighbors goods, no matter how dire we are in need of it.

Being modest with regards to the above commandments imply that we should be contented with whatever we have; as this will indeed help us overcome the sins of stealing, adultery and covetousness as summarized by these commandments.

Please read on the new life in Christ here.

• Continency

You can think of continency as having self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline, self-denial, or temperance; especially with the pleasures of illicit sexual gratification.

The term 'continency' originates from the Latin word 'continentia', which means 'to hold back'. In this regard, the action of continence implies that priority is giving to the things of the Spirit, rather than those of the flesh. For this reason, concupiscence and carnal passions are repressed (or put in check) as a result of continence, a gift of the Spirit.

Continency (or continence) can be defined as an action of self-control, self-restraint, and temperance with regards to the things of the world, but more especially towards the flesh, carnal passion, concupiscence, and the illicit gratification of sex outside marriage, alongside other sexual sins.

Continency is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Please read the on the leadership qualities of Joseph that has transformed lives here.

Continency is an important weapon against sexual sins. This is rightly so because all christians will have to battle three main enemies. These are the devil, the world, and the flesh. Through the virtue of continence, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to conquer the lustful cravings of the flesh (as this is one of the most frequently used tool of the devil against christians).

Jesus gave us more insight towards the guilt sexual sin when he stated that it can be committed in the heart. Therefore, continence as a gift of the Holy Spirit should also commence from our hearts, and can be channeled to help us control our lustful thoughts.

• You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart - Matthew 5:27-28.

You can attempt questions and answers for students in crs here.

Note: With regards to those who choose not for marry; for instance the priests and nuns, continency often have a part to play; however, chastity plays the greater role since they are to stay unmarried for the rest of their lives. However, for those who have chosen to marry, they must remain faithful to their partner, fulfilling their marital duties to each other.

• Now for the matters you wrote about: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.' But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband - 1 Corinthians 7:1-3.

Please read on the biblical account of first human disobedience here.

Apart from our carnal passions, we are encouraged to show continency in other areas of our lives. For instance, self-restraint should be practiced with our use of words, especially when we are greatly angered and offended. Similarly, continency also include our willingness to embrace sufferings for Christ's sake, especially when we have the opportunity to sinfully evade it temporarily. In another instance, controlling our urge for excessive eating and drinking is a function of continency.

Please read on our response to sufferings and the beauty of suffering here.

Importantly, living a life of continency is a requirement towards attaining our heavenly home. St. Paul made this known in his letter to the Corinthians.

• Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Please read on goodness, longanimity and mildness as fruits of the Holy Spirit here.