Be self-controlled-putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. Self-control definitely involves struggle as you exert your will to abstain from ungodly behavior. Nonetheless, there is abundant help available to you in this battle. My Spirit, who lives within you, is your Helper. And the fruit of the Spirit is love�.�.�. self-control.

A breastplate is designed to protect your heart and other vital organs when you are in battle. Faith and love combine to make an exceptionally effective breastplate. Your faith in Me, your Savior, enables you to trust in My righteousness, which is yours now and always. Love is the essence of My redeeming relationship with you. The hope of salvation makes a wonderful helmet because it protects your mind and reminds you that you belong to Me forever.

Faith, hope, and love all work together to shield you as you journey through this world. They also keep you close to Me.

Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. -1 Thessalonians 5:8

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. -Galatians 5:22-23 nkjv

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. -Ephesians 6:14-15 esv

Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. -1 Corinthians 13:13