Shipwrecked! Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Shipwrecked! ----------------------- Date: 07/23/1999 Keywords: "self-control" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. eXXit advertises itself as a Web site designed to help you "stand strong in the face of sexual temptation." In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists nine "fruit of the Spirit," fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Each of these fruits — if produced — will greatly aid a believer who seeks to "stand strong." At eXXit, we believe that: The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the life of a healthy Christian, just as apples appear on a healthy apple tree. If there is any love or joy or peace in a Christian, it is ultimately the work of God. Christians can cooperate with the Spirit's desire to produce His fruit in their lives by yieldedness, faith, obedience and involvement in ministry. We hope you enjoy and benefit from these meditations on Galatians 5! Send us any feedback. We'd love to know what you think. Passage: Acts 27:14-20* 14. But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; 15. and when the ship was caught {in it,} and could not face the wind, we gave way {to it,} and let ourselves be driven along. 16. And running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the {ship's} boat under control. 17. And after they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on {the shallows} of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor, and so let themselves be driven along. 18. The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19. and on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20. And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing {us,} from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. Questions 1. The passage above describes one of the most terrifying scenes imaginable — a ship out of control. What is lost when a ship becomes unsteerable?   2. What emotions can you imagine the ship’s passengers and crew felt as they were storm-tossed?   Practical help The final “fruit of the Spirit” mentioned in Galatians 5 is self-control. Ironic, isn’t it, that as the Holy Spirit works in people’s lives, they become increasingly able to control themselves? Storms may come their way, but they are not taken off course. The strongest winds of temptation may blow, but they continue to steer a straight and true course of obedience to God. When storm-tossed, they may need to jettison cargo, but the anchor of commitment to God holds and keeps them rock-solid steady. Struggling against the storm called “porn”? The Holy Spirit wants to grace you with the self-control necessary to drop anchor and resist the temptation to view it, lust after it, be involved with it. Ask Him for such self-control, firmly believing He desires to equip you with it. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."