Title: SELF-CONTROL

Text: Galatians 5:16-25

Date: 12-10-06.am

INTRODUCTION:

Today we are going to conclude the series on the fruit of the Spirit. With Christmas almost here and a pot luck this morning it may be a good time to talk about self-control! Self-control provides boundaries and one of the glaring failures of modern society is a lack of boundaries and a lack of self-control much like earlier Greek and Roman cultures before their demise. A lack of self-control destroys self respect, friendships, marriages, careers and even ministries. So lets look at this much needed aspect of character this morning. The night and last characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit.

I want us to go back and begin reading at verse 19 in chapter five this morning so we can see the difference between the person who is living according to the flesh and the person who is living according to the Spirit.

Gal 5:19-23

Paul describes the difference between a person who is controlled by the desires of the flesh, which leads to negative types of actions as opposed to a person controlled by the Spirit of God, which produces an entirely different set of attributes and actions.

While self-control is the last characteristic or attribute listed of the fruit of the spirit, it is probably the first work or action in the process of become Christ like God needs to accomplish in our lives in order to produce the rest of the characteristic of the fruit. [remember the fruit is a whole - one fruit different aspects] Before we can manifest the other traits of God’s character – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, there must be that element of self-control. The first battle we have to fight after we become believers is the conquest of self. That is the battle to yield to the Spirit rather than resist the Spirit. Self-control is the inner strength derived from the Spirit’s presence that enables us to get a hold on our lives and bring the desires of the flesh under control.

His use of the term self control is a little different than what we naturally assume. He uses the term to describe the character produced by the Spirit’s presence within the believer as opposed to character which is flesh controlled or desire controlled. When Paul used the term self-control, he’s wasn’t talking about doing things my way, he was referring to the character of a person under spiritual control who masters his/her desires and passions, especially the sensual desires rather than giving in to them or allowing them to master him/her.

The Proverbs says this about self-control:

Like a city whose WALLS are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Proverbs 25:28

Ancient cities depended on their outer walls for security, think about Jericho. The city felt safe and secure but the moment the wall was compromised, the city was open and exposed to danger and ruin. Without spiritual self-control we are like a city whose wall has been compromised in a sense lose our protection. We don’t lose our salvation, don’t misunderstand that, but we leave ourselves open and vulnerable to falling into the pattern or habit of sin which affects our relationship with the Lord and with other people. We risk ineffectiveness and unproductiveness in our Christian life.

Any area of our lives not subject to spiritual self control . . . whether it is anger, lust, ambition, greed, pride, whatever it might be . . . any one of these areas not under spiritual self-control will leave us wide open and vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and we know he is a roaring lion seeking to devour us.

How can we develop and manifest not only self-control but all of the attributes or characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?

First off understand spiritual self-control is only possible by the grace of God. Titus 2:11-14

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;

14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. NASB

By the power of Jesus Christ manifest in our lives through the Holy Spirit we are not only forgiven, with a changed position before God. We’ve also been given a change in attitude and desire.

That’s what the new birth is about. We are freed from the domination and slavery of sin. The Spirit imparts new life to us and implants His fruit within us. He teaches us to be different. Titus 2: 12 tells us we can say “no” to ungodliness and worldly desires. That doesn’t mean we can find perfection in this life, but the Spirit gives us the ability to withstand the temptation. It’s no longer a case of “I can’t help it, or that’s just the way I am.” The Spirit removes the domination of sin in our lives. We don’t have to automatically crumble in the face of temptation and we don’t have to conform to sin. The question is will we yield to the Spirit and follow Him, or ignore Him and grieve Him.

Where do we start in developing this kind of spiritual self-control?

1. Start with ourselves. That seems more obvious than it really is. It’s always easier to see the speck in someone else’s eye than the tree in our own. We have to admit we are weak when it comes to self-control. As long as we think we are invulnerable, we’re in trouble. We can’t allow our minds to wander, to someone else. “If only so-and-so could hear this message, would take this to heart.” We can’t be thinking or focusing on our wife, our husband, our brother, our sister, our children, our boss, our employees, our friends, or our neighbors . . . we have to think about ourselves.

D. L. Moody, the great evangelist of the last century was asked: Of all the people that have given you trouble, who gave you the most trouble? His response was classic: The person who has given me the most trouble is D. L. MOODY.

2. Yield to the Lordship of Christ. Constantly be aware of the Spirit in your life and yield to Him. That means we have to develop the art of listening.

3. Be regular - constant and consistent in prayer and Bible study. Set aside some time during the day and during the week to spend time with the Lord. Sometimes we want to hear the voice of God from heaven, or see it written in the clouds or on a billboard. But God primarily speaks through the written revelation He has already given us. Read it, reflect on what you have read and be obedient to it.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 NASB

4. Invest in spiritual friendships. We need to develop and nurture friends who keep us accountable, who encourage us and at the same time discourage us. Encourage us in doing right and discourage us from doing wrong.

5. We need to know what our weaknesses are and avoid them. And we’re all weak in different area we just need to be aware of what those are in our lives. And don’t think we are above temptation in any area. 1 Cor 10:12

And obviously there are some things we all should avoid. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians 1 Thess 5:21-22 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. NASB

6. Be willing to make necessary changes

Make a resolution of the will. Think of John 5.1-18. Jesus learns that a certain man has been lying lame beside the Bethesda pool everyday for the last 38 years. Jesus went to him and asked: “Do you wish to get well?” The KJV says “Wilt thou be made whole?” John 5:6

Some people are not willing. Take for example Felix (Procurator of Judea under Nero) in Acts 24. The Jewish historian Joseph described Felix as a man of lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition. Verse 25 tells us Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come,

Paul spoke to him about salvation through Jesus Christ and how he could help with self-control the scripture says: Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you." (NAS) Felix heard Paul for over 2 years but he was unwilling to change.

Sometimes even Christians are unwilling to change they’ve come to Christ and received new life but for whatever reason they don’t want to let go of old habits and old ways. Sometimes it’s fear, we’re afraid to give up control of everything to the Lord we want to hold on to it just in case.

When we are willing, our faith opens the door to the power of God in our lives, not only to save us but to change us to guide us. Someone wrote “grace flows in the channels of the determined will.”

Are you willing today to allow the Fruit of God’s character to live and grow and be made manifest in you? It begins with trusting God for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, but goes beyond that to trusting Him with you entire life. Are you will to say today Lord here am I and give yourself completely to Him?