Self-control

Talking about self-control the other day, a friend said, "You might be able to control how you respond, but it's still very hard." I had a moment of insight. I said, "It's so hard that you can't do it on your own. Only by the Spirit of God are you able to control yourself." Ah, the illusion of freedom outside of God's grace and God's transforming Spirit! I had never realized that if self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that it's accomplishment is not just difficult, but impossible.