S is for Self-Control

Flow - inspiration (truth) - illustration (Bible example) - application (you)

Intro

To be Spirit led is to:

NOT do the wrong thing, especially when we WANT to

But also

DO the RIGHT thing, especially when we do not want to

The WORKS of the flesh vs the FRUIT of the Spirit

demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit instead of committing the works of the flesh

The CHOICE is yours, but the POWER is the Spirit

Galatians 5:19–24 (NLT)

Galatians 5:19–24 NLT

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Definition

Discipline

Temper - how long is your fuse?

Self-control resists the temptation to go back to the ways of the world

Romans 7 - Paul was betwixt two places -

Like many, Paul didn’t do the good he wanted to do but did the bad did not want to do.

Answer - in Romans 8! Grace through the Spirit!

Self-Control - to NOT do the Bad

Control your appetite for power

In the church, there seems to be a Longer line to preach the pulpit than to clean the toilet.

Lack of Self-control in heaven - Lucifer

Lucifer was perfect until he refused self-control to pride and power - (Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28)

Result - was cast out of heaven onto earth

Why did he become satan? He had no tempter. His fall was self-induced.

Since the enemy failed to make himself a god, his devised a plan to destroy those created in God’s image - mankind. He would introduce sin in God’s perfect word by weakening the human will through deception.

Lack of Self-control in earth - Adam and Eve

Blessing was God’s first interaction with man

Commanding was God’s second - subdue the earth, including the animals - (serpent)

Warning was God’s third interaction with man - do not eat the forbidden fruit

The fall of man is attributed to a lack of self-control.

The lack of self-control can easily begin a domino effect of disaster.

Since Adam did not exercise discipline, or “self-control” of Eve, she became vulnerable to attack.

Exercise Self-control of the EARS

Since Eve did not exercise self-control of her ears - she listened to the voice of the enemy.

Even then Adam could have stepped in but did not.

Today, many spent their day with earbuds, listening to songs, podcasts, news, commentaries, and instructions of various types, as they work, workout and walk or hide in the house.

Today, many are still listening to lies and deception, causing division in the church and dividing man from God.

What and who do you listen to?

Who is on your playlist?

How much of the Gospel do you listen to on a weekly basis?

Exercise Self-control of the EYES

Next, Since Eve did not exercise self -control of her eyes, she stared at the forbidden fruit.

Even then Adam could have stepped in but did not.

Today, we live in a video saturated world. People’s eyes are glued to screens, both big and small. Statistics show that many hours per day are sent on video content, both video shorts to full length movies.

Do you know of anyone who is not on tik-tok?

Americans are so addicted to tik-tok that they would rather risk national security by giving up a treasure trove of personal information to a communist regime than to miss out on the latest tik-tok challenge or cat video.

As the serpent did not have to bite or choke mankind in order to defeat him, the devil simply bites the masses with a trendy app that appeals to the visual stimulus and then chokes their imaginations, creativity, time and attention span.

Porn is rampant in America - 1 in 3 Christian men struggle with it

The power of suggestion subtly destroys when not immediately dealt with.

What do you watch? What is your favorite TV channel or shows?

What are the parental control limits for yourself?

Does violence and nudity abhor you?

Do you turn a movie off that turns bad, even if it is at the end?

Do you turn your head when something vile approaches you - whether expected (like a magazine rack at the grocery checkout counter, or unexpected like a TV commercial?

Let God Control your THOUGHTS

Exercise Self-control of the THOUGHTS

Since Eve did not exercise self -control of her thoughts, she fantasized and entertained evil thoughts and began to lust for power.

Eve wanted to be like God, she so ate the forbidden fruit and gave it to Adam.

Even then, Adam could have stepped in but did not.

Because Adam did not exercise self-control to obey God, the serpent took control of Adam.

Life Lesson: What you do not control, will control you.

CHOOSE to think of godly things - Phil 4

Because Adam did not exercise self-control to obey God, he and his wife were cast out of the Garden of Eden like Lucifer was cast out of heaven.

Life Lesson: lack of self-control suffers consequences.

Let God Control your EMOTIONS

After the fall of Adam and Eve, the lack of self-control continued its domino effect of destruction throughout humanity.

Because Adam did not exercise self-control to obey God, his son Cain killed his other son Abel over a religious offence.

Fear not - 365 times in Bible

Moses - fear not their faces of God’s people, but lead them to the Promised Land.

Joshua - fear not the giants but POSESS the Promised Land

Timothy, fear not the church, but preach the Word in all seasons - in and out, preach in good times and bad, whether people listen or not

Control your MOUTH - both in and out

Mouth - word out

Jesus silent before Pilate -

The same Jesus, who held his tongue while on a sham trial before Pilate, was the same Jesus who spoke openly and boldly in the public market streets, in broad daylight!

Life and death in power of the tongue - Sweet and bitter water

Zip the lip and Bite the tongue - you don’t have to always say what’s on your mind

social media firestorms are started as a lack of restraint

Instead, we are to pray for your enemies and Bless those who curse you

Mouth - food in -

Daniel refused the king’s food - remained healthy and was promoted

Jesus fasted for 40 days

gluttony in WV

Discipline your body - 1 Cor 9:25

1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

Sexual - Joseph and Potiphar’s wife -

Turn the cheek

Go the extra mile

Today - many living in sin - boldly out of the closet

Self-Control - to DO the Good

Self-control does not just to hold back the bad, but lets out the good!

The more self-control we have, the more godly like we become, like Christ

The less self-control we have, the more ungodlywe become, like the devil

Enemy was created perfect but became selfish and prideful

End time warning - lack of self-control reaches society - 2 Timothy 3:3

2 Timothy 3:3 NLT

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

Preaching about self-control is not welcomed by the majority

Pauls’ trial before Felix

Illustration: Paul’s trial before the Roman emperor Felix - Acts 24:25

Acts 24:25 NLT

25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

End time intolerance for self-control

2 Timothy 3:3 (NLT)

2 Timothy 3:3 NLT

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

Those with loose living claim teaching the Bible puts them in bondage!

Galatians 5:25–26 NLT

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Galatians 6:1 NLT

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

The problem may not be the devil, but a boomerang of judgement

Not an attack, but a judgmental comment brought back because of lack of the fruit of the Spirt of self-control.

Reap what sow

Self-Control is Required for Ministers - Titus 1:7-8

Titus 1:7–8 NLT

7 A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money. 8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.

Call to Action: - Pursue Self-Control 2 Peter 1:5-7

2 Peter 1:5–7 NLT

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

If we will humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, HE will lift us up, and the world will come to Him.