Be the Light- pt9- self control

We have arrived at the end of our journey and at the last fruit or gift of the Spirit. I hope all of you have enjoyed taking this journey with us and are seeing flashes of these fruits in your own walk with Jesus.

This last one is the toughest. The hardest to master. And is built on all the others that Paul mentions to the Galatians.

And sadly, not only is it tough to master it is one that often gets lumped into very specific sins- gluttony, lust, drunkenness. But truthfully, self control is a need in every area of our lives.

So start by turning with me to Proverbs 25:27-28.

This 2 verse section is indicative of the struggle for self mastery.

Self focus is the killer for self control. How much can I consume? How much can I be known?

One of the byproducts of the lack of self control is a belief that there have to be winners and losers in every aspect of life. It’s why covetousness was listed in the 10 commandments.

Look, when it comes to sports, I am all for winning. But life is not an athletic event. As a society, a country, a culture, someone else winning or excelling or succeeding does not mean we are somehow losing.

Self control fights those urges. It helps us to see people as neighbors rather than opponents.

And verse 28 is a warning. When we lack self control we are headed for being destroyed.

Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs 8. Portrait of a Fool (25:28–26:12)

Lack of self-control makes one vulnerable (25:28); the one who cannot maintain such control will always be outmaneuvered by an adversary who keeps emotions in check

A city that lacks walls:

defenseless

easily occupied

left desolate

That is an apt description of someone who lacks self control. They are not in command of their faculties, and even worse, not in step with the Spirit.

Jesus warns us that self denial- an essential part of self control- is a command when following Him.

Turn with me to Matthew 16:24-27.

Cross bearing means death. And self control is the death of being mastered by our baser natures. It is putting to death sin.

Jesus says when we follow Him we deny ourselves.

Matthew 1. Implications for Discipleship: Correcting Misunderstandings (16:21–17:27)

Self-denial does not imply self-abuse or lack of self-esteem. As Jesus’ disciples believers should have a better self-image than any other people, but it should be based on God’s grace and not their merit. Self-denial does, however, mean putting God and his kingdom priorities first. This should have a visible impact on the nature of one’s financial commitments and service to church and world and should lead to the rejection of self-centered arrogance and pride

And then He reminds us what we are gaining- or regaining- our souls.

We can have all the other stuff, but lose out on eternity, or have eternity and forgiveness and grace and mercy, and the Spirit, but lose out on some stuff that won’t last.

Matthew 1. Implications for Discipleship: Correcting Misunderstandings (16:21–17:27)

Accumulation of all the goods and pleasures of this earth cannot possibly secure eternal life, yet without eternal life all such accumulation will prove futile and damning. Without surrendering one’s present life to Christ, one cannot have eternal life with him

Self control says Jesus is better.

And following Jesus, means we surrender to His will for the best of ourselves.

And not having self control will cost us. Look at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

I don’t have to tell you that we live in an era where more and more followers of Jesus are being exposed as frauds. Not just pastors. Just people who wear their piety like a badge and conduct themselves like they are untouchable.

Jesus is not impressed.

The race goes to the person who is sincere, not the person who is best on the outside.

1 Corinthians 4. Application and Transition: Run to Win! (9:24–27)

In relation to the previous unit, the emphasis on gaining more for the gospel, becoming all things to all men to save some, and doing all things for the gospel in order to become a fellow-partaker of it (9:19–23) is exemplified in the athlete who exercises self-control in all things in order to receive the prize

Paul calls that running aimlessly and beating the air

It is futility. Trying to live the life of a Christian, without self control, without following Jesus, is a waste of time. Similar to trying to compete as an elite athlete, but never training.

1 Corinthians 4. Application and Transition: Run to Win! (9:24–27)

In this present example it would be absurd to suggest that only one believer receives the prize out of all those who enter the race. Here Paul’s primary point has to do with how one runs the race. In Paul’s example only one receives the prize, but obviously he is urging all believers to run like the well-trained athlete who exercises self-control in all things in order to achieve a greater goal

So what does it look like to develop self control? Follow me to 2 Peter 1:5-9.

“Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.”- Dallas Willard

1, 2 Peter, Jude 2. Pursue a Godly Life Diligently (1:5–7)

Believers are to “make every effort” or apply “all diligence” (NASB) in carrying out Peter’s commands. A godly character does not emerge from passivity or lassitude. As Luther says, “They should prove their faith by their good works.”

It starts with faith

1, 2 Peter, Jude 2. Pursue a Godly Life Diligently (1:5–7)

Trusting God is the root from which all the other virtues spring. Those who rely on God and his promises begin to live a new way

Then moves to practicing right living (virtue) which flows from the Spirit

That right living leads us to add to what we know and understand about God- which equips us to practice self control

1, 2 Peter, Jude 2. Pursue a Godly Life Diligently (1:5–7)

Those who add knowledge to their lives should also be ardently seeking self-control (enkrateia). Paul identified self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit (

But Peter does not stop there- self control gives us the ability to stand firm in the middle of temptation.

And that steadfastness gives rise to becoming more like Jesus- which helps us to have care for other people and creates in us an unconditional love of people.

And look at the contrast in verses 8-9

A person with these qualities is producing fruit

A person without them is blind- he accomplishes nothing

So where does that leave us? Pursing these fruits, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, covered by the grace of Jesus when we fall short.

We are becoming- being sanctified- over the course of our lives by a God who loves us.