Spiritual Fruit and Leadership Discipline

In our ongoing series of articles on the Fruit of the Spirit in missional enterprise, we focus today on self-control, listed as the final characteristic in the biblical description in Galatians 5.

Every day, leaders in missional enterprises face countless choices. These choices impact not only business outcomes but also the spiritual and community impact of the enterprise. Some decisions are minor, like setting daily priorities, while others bear significant weight, such as handling conflicts, stewarding resources, or making ethical business choices. In all of these, self-control is vital.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9:25 remind us of the need for discipline: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Just as athletes train to excel, leaders must develop self-control to sustain their mission. But unlike athletes who rely on personal resolve, missional leaders lean on the Spirit’s strength.

Biblical self-control is not merely about suppressing desires, but aligning our thoughts, emotions, and actions with God’s purposes. This distinction is crucial for all followers of Jesus – including missional enterprise leaders, who operate in complex environments where the pressures of profit, disciple-making, and social impact often pull in different directions.

In his book Respectable Sins, author Jerry Bridges highlights the distinction this way:

“Biblical self-control, however, covers every area of life and requires an unceasing conflict with the passions of the flesh that wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11). This self-control depends on the Spirit’s influence and enablement. It requires continual exposure of our mind to the words of God and continual prayer for the Holy Spirit to give us both the desire and power to exercise self-control. We might say that self-control is not control by oneself through one’s own willpower but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In practical terms, self-control manifests in many ways in a missional business. It may be choosing integrity over financial shortcuts, patience over frustration when mentoring employees, or wisdom over impulse in strategic decisions. Proverbs 25:28 warns, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” In the same way, an enterprise without self-controlled leadership risks collapsing under pressure.

Ultimately, self-control in missional enterprise is both a spiritual gift and a discipline. Leaders must actively cultivate it through prayer, immersion in God’s Word, and accountability. At the same time, they must recognize that true self-control is not about striving harder but about yielding to the Spirit’s work in their lives. By doing so, they will not only lead with wisdom but also model a life that draws others toward Christ.

Verse of the Week:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (RSV)

By the gift of God’s power and love, may we demonstrate his self-control in each sphere of our lives this week, including the enterprises we lead.