CHRISTIAN GROWTH LESSON 16F

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Add To Your Faith Self-Control (Temperance) Part 2

Scripture Lesson: II Peter 1:5-7 II Peter 1:5-7,

2 Peter 1:5–7 KJV 1900
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Romans 12:2 Definition:

The Biblical term for self control is temperance.

The Greek word for temperance is egkrateia from egkrates, which means “restraining and controlling oneself.”

Self-control is the inward strength to bring all physical appetites under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1. The Vital Importance Of Self Control.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 KJV 1900
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Church Leaders Must Have Self-Control Titus 1:7-8,

Titus 1:7–8 KJV 1900
7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 2:1–2 KJV 1900
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Three Ways Leaders Can Cultivate Self-Control:

1. Be Mindful. Do not give into Emotional Impulses.

2. Get Enough Sleep.

3. Create Rituals and Routines “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

2. The Opposite Of SelfControl.

The Biblical antonym of self control means “to be powerless, incontinent, unable to withstand or resist the desires and passions of human appetite.”

(Romans 7:15, 19, 24).
Romans 7:15 KJV 1900
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:19 KJV 1900
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:24 KJV 1900
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Self- control is choosing to do what is right when I feel like doing wrong.

How Did Paul Develop Self control?

Three Steps:

1.Joining God’s Family There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

Romans 8:1 KJV 1900
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(Romans 8:14).
Romans 8:14 KJV 1900
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

2. Obeying the Holy Spirit For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. . .. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:3–4, 7–8).

Romans 8:3–4 KJV 1900
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:7–8 KJV 1900
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

“The Christians who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that is not plugged in.”

3. Listening to God’s Spirit Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

(Romans 8:12–13). Colossians 3:5:
Romans 8:12–13 KJV 1900
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Colossians 3:5 KJV 1900
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
I Corinthians 9:27:
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Self-control is responding to sin in the same way a dead man does.

Temperance is Yielding to the Right Authority ( Rom 6:11-18 )

Romans 6:11–18 KJV 1900
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

1. What do we normally give-in to?

Habits, lusts, pressures – we yield to what we are used to giving in to

2. As a Christian, there is a need for “reckoning” – adding things up, and weighing them out to see which is better – 2 Peter 1

3. Reckon some things to be Dung… and some things to be Priceless Become Unresponsive (Dead) to Live for the thrill of… Sin – what you know to be wrong World –

anything that is not of Christ (like Drink, Drugs, Sex before marriage)

Flesh – self-serving interests

Lusts – pleasure first Bad habits – what you do naturally like Laziness Bitterness and habitual anger God (Creator of this universe)

Righteousness Grace Heaven ( Col 3 ) Soul-Winning Family Pleasing God – “Well done…” Making a difference (i.e., Doctor) Saving our generation

4. Principles:

a. There are TWO KINGS who seek to rule your life

1) One is Satan – disguised as SELF and rebellion

2) The other is Jesus – meek and lowly

b. You are a servant of one or the other – no middle ground

C. You are the servant to that which you obey

5. No Christian is to be under the dominion of any sin – no sin should have any controlling influence over your life – period (Rom 6:14)

Romans 6:14 KJV 1900
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 KJV 1900
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The moment you got saved, you became the servant of righteousness King! – stay there, and serve THAT

Colossians 3 KJV 1900
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

KEEP UNDER literally means “to beat black and blue, to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots, like a boxer who buffets his body, to handle it roughly, to discipline by hardships.”

How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? . . . likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:2,11
Romans 6:2 KJV 1900
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 6:11 KJV 1900
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Discipline of Fasting Giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting.

II Corinthians 6:3–5
2 Corinthians 6:3–5 KJV 1900
3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

The Power That Produces Self-Control Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

Then you will not be doing what your sinful nature craves.

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.

And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.

These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. . .. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol.

(Galatians 5:16-17, 22-23).

Galatians 5:16–17 KJV 1900
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

As God takes control of our lives, self-control will be the natural result.

Tips On How To Demonstrate Self-Control:

At Home

▪ Refuse to allow other family members to provoke you to anger.

▪ Never discipline in anger.

▪ Look for ways to serve other family members rather than yourself.

▪ Purpose never to raise your voice in anger in the home.

At Work/School

▪ Purpose ahead of time that you will stand alone for what is right and refuse to compromise.

▪ Refuse to participate in harmful habits.

▪ Choose to walk away from questionable activities.

▪ Don’t allow anger to destroy the effectiveness of your witness.

At Church

▪ Reject gossip about church leaders and other church members.

▪ Never react in anger to those who disagree with you.

▪ Follow the principles in Matthew 18:15-20 to restore someone who has a fault.

Matthew 18:15–20 KJV 1900
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Balance in the Christian Life (1Cor 9:24-27)
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 KJV 1900
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

A. Most of us are imbalanced in major areas of our lives (Hosea 7:8) – undisciplined – unable to know when enough is enough, or to say no to something we know we should not do

Hosea 7:8 KJV 1900
8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

1. Like a pancake, that has been cooking a while, and not been turned

2. So we too are burnt on one side, and raw on the other - imbalanced

3. We become no good to anyone

B. But a Christian is supposed to be a unique kind of a person – a truly balanced person – “fulfilled”

1. To the world, we look very extreme (Church on Sundays, no discos, no pub-crawling, no smoking, no porn, dedicated time reading our Bibles every day, praying about everything) - to the world, we look boring

2. But what we do, and what we believe from the Bible actually puts balance into our lives, and fulfils our lives like no disco or drug ever could

C. The Real Prize (1Cor 9:24; Phil 3:13,14; Heb 12:1,2)

1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV 1900
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Philippians 3:13 KJV 1900
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:14 KJV 1900
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:2 KJV 1900
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1. An Eternal Prize – lasts forever – not like the things we accumulate in this life (rusts, falls apart, breaks down)

2. A priceless prize – up to five crowns can be earned

3. Worth everything you may have to go through

D. Striving for the Mastery (1Cor 9:25)

1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV 1900
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

1. Of a Skill (piano playing) – not just play it, but master it!

2. Of a Sport (Soccer kicking)

3. Of a Subject (Maths, Science, Drawing)

4. Today’s world is only interested in mastering SIN – getting good at lying, and stealing, and cheating, and fornicating!

5. The Christian has a greater desire – that is for the mastery of SELF

E. God wants us Temperate in all areas of our life – all areas

1. Our Time (Eph 5:15,16)

Ephesians 5:15 KJV 1900
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Ephesians 5:16 KJV 1900
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

2. Our Thoughts (Phil 4:8)

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

3. Our Attitudes ( Phil 3:13,14)

Philippians 3:13 KJV 1900
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:14 KJV 1900
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

4. Our Money – not selfish, but giving, and saving and using for God’s glory

5. Our Actions – for the Lord first, then for other, and lastly for self – that’s the right balance

F. Keeping under my body (1Cor 9:26,27)

1 Corinthians 9:26 KJV 1900
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1. There are Priority Balancing Measures every Christian needs to put in action

2. To bring it into subjection – bring it back into balance

3. These are things a Christian must do certainly – specifically – not stabs in the dark, but targets and goals to aim for

Bible Study Follow-up Chat

1. Do you give more time to spiritual pursuits than to the pleasures of the world?

2. Do you bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ?

3. Do you control your eating or indulge in foods you know are unhealthful?

4. Do you remove provisions for indulgences so you will not fulfill them?

5. Do you have a wise and Biblical program for fasting?

6. To what area of your life do you need to apply the fruit of self-control?

7. Our emotions are a main target of the devil. Agree or disagree. Why?

8. What is one area of your life that is succeeding in the exercise of self-control?

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