Mastering Ourselves: The Fruit of Self-Control
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Wow, it has been a minute since we were in the Word. I’m glad you all can make it tonight.
As you all know, tonight is the last fruit of the spirit: “Self Control”, controlling oneself.
Read:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
When we look at the Greek, we see the word for self-control defined as this:
“Restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires, self-control.”
When we read what self-control means; let us first understand what we are controlling ourself FROM.
Gossip
Disrespect
Selfish ambition
Pride
Lust
Anger
Fill in the blank
Self-control is a very important quality that Scripture strongly prioritizes. When we do not show self-control, it is contradicting the very things we just claimed we had.
This is a different type of fruit. You see, the prior fruits we have discussed all the way up until now, has been describing an active way of living. Showing love, joy, peace, etc. Whereas when we look at self-control, it has a sense of restraint.
Self-control is just as important as the prior fruits. For if you show love in the one moment, yet the very next your angry, your love was just shown to be void! And the same can be said about the other fruits.
For Proverbs describes a man without self-control in this way.
Read Proverbs 25:28
28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
A person without self-control is compared to a defenseless city. One welcoming anything, whether good or bad. It would be similar to your house. Imagine you opened every door, window, and garage with a big welcome sign on the front. Can you imagine what or who would enter? It’s the same thought process yet more drastic, as it’s describing a city, not just a house.
“a city broken into and left without walls” is an example of vulnerability & exposure.
We are commanded in Scripture to not just go throughout this life, care-free about your Spiritual Walk or the things of God. If we allow sin to creep in our life, hey, whatever, I’ll deal with that when I’m older. This saying is not the quality or fruit of the spirit of a true Christian. A true Christian desires not only a relationship with Christ, but a changed life, embodied by the Holy Spirit.
We are commanded to safeguard our life with the Word of God. For God Himself, refers Himself countless of times as our “Refuge”. Take refuge in Jesus, His finished work. When not exemplifying self-control, one becomes susceptible to spiritual harm, as that person is relying on themself and not Christ.
Before we look at how the Bible says to have self-control & what we strive for as Christ followers, I want us to explore the why?
Why do we act without control over our lives?
Pride
Vengeance
We sometimes act without self-control because we aspire vengeance. Instead of “turning the other cheek..” like Scripture commands us to do, we react to please ourselves and make sure the other person knows who their messing with. But Scripture reminds that vengeance is from the Lord. God is just and the justifier.
Can I get real with you real quick & this is something that I struggle with and need this reminder.
When someone mistreats you, whether that is disrespect, anger, etc; at the bottomline, who cares? Who are we aspiring to please? Our self-reputation or our Heavenly Father who knows between right and wrong. Instead of feeling good for insulting a person, (which by the way, we just became no better than the person who insulted you), practice self-control. & care how God either approves disproves of your actions, not some other person, who struggles with sin the same you do.
For in Proverbs again, a person who gives in is described this way..
Read Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Spirit in Hebrew can also be translated as “breath of the mouth..”
So you could also read it like this:
A unwise and spiritually dumb person gives full vent to the breath of the mouth, but a person who seeks God, quietly holds it back.
When I was preparing this lesson & was reading over this passage, I couldn’t help but think of my basement. We are still in the process of finishing our basement, which we do on the weekends. Should be done by the end of the month. ANYWAYS, we changed some of the duct work for space and even better air-flow. But when writing this, I imagined the dumb person. One who is like the duct work in my basement, with nothing stoping the air, no filter, just speaking the first thing that comes to mind and letting it out.
That is an example of not having any self-control. We as Christians should be people who aren’t known for getting in fights or being reactional; rather, we quietly hold back like the Proverbs state, valuing our testimony and being a representative of Christ, than pleasing ourself in the moment.
Another instance of the why is pride. Everything resorts back to pride, valuing yourself above another person.
But what does Scripture teach about that?
Read Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
As fallen creatures, it’s natural instinct to want to place ourselves above others. Even as people who are saved, it’s natural, let alone culture telling you likewise, as well.
That’s why self-control is vitally important. Not only are we called to produce good works, but also restrain bad works within our self, which also represents Christ. Let’s see how Scripture describes the importance of that.
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Paul is using an athlete as an example in this passage, like he typically does “I have run the race..”
Let’s use a runner for example, Usain Bolt, fastest man alive. I did a little research on his training and diet. Bolt would train without fail, 3-hours a day, 6-days each week. For those of us who never did track or ran, 3-hours is considered a substantial, high-effort workout. They say if you do anymore, you’re at high risk of injury. But, not only did Bolt train physically, Bolt was extremely diligent in the kitchen, as well. Bolt said this was the toughest for him. He held a high energy, easily digestible diet. Bolt said he oftentimes craves hot wings, something I can’t blame him for.
Usain Bolt is a serious, dedicated runner, who we have done established, exercises self-control over his hot wings and not slacking in his daily workouts.
Paul then continues on stating Usain Bolt does it to receive the perishable crown. But we as Christians, who are called by the high-calling of God, those of us who strive to have self-control, do it for the imperishable.
Jesus describes this as well in the book of Matthew:
Read Matthew 6:19-21
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Jesus simply states, do not prioritize, hold high esteem, or work towards treasures on this earth, where moth and rust destroy them & even thieves break in and steal (perishable).
Rather, think on Heavenly Things like Colossians state, setting your minds to above, storing your treasures in heaven, where they are the imperishable.
For Jesus then explains it very clearly. “… where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
If your heart is focused on this world, you’re going to lack:
Contentment
Spiritual discipline
Prioritization on the things of God
Direction
Peace
These are the things Paul is warning us about. He’s seen firsthand people getting wrapped up into the world, for the world is flashy, but only for a season.
Continuing with V26:
So because I have self-control and strive for the imperishable crown, I do not run without a purpose or a target in front of me. Paul then continues with the athlete’s analogy…
For it would be like a boxer, just beating the air. How pointless would that be.
V27:
Here we find another application to the spiritual, applying to the physical.
For Paul “disciplines his body and keeps it under control…”, which we could draw parallels to two passages in Romans.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
These two verses imply the same principle. For we once formerly slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which ultimately lead to more sin. But now, as one who has been bought by the blood of Christ, provide nothing to your flesh, do not satisfy it; rather, present yourself to righteousness leading to sanctification.
Lastly, at the tale end of V27, we see Paul providing a similar point as made earlier. For if we do not keep our actions, deed, and mind under control, lest after commanding others the Spiritual Truths, I would be defrauded of the Gospel, as stated in verse 23.
Usain Bolt had rigid self-control for the perishable. How much more should we have the same for the imperishable. Is it not of more value?
Prayer time, reading your Bible, caring for others, not lashing back, simply prioritizing Christ in every aspect of our life takes self-control. But here’s the cool part.
Usain Bolt was not always perfect. Did Usain Bolt probably cave and eat the hot wings? Probably. It was actually documented that Usain Bolt was criticized and rightfully so, for eating chicken nuggets during the 2008 Olympics.
We as Believers are going to eat chicken nuggets from time-to-time. We are going to mess up. But there is grace meeting us there. God’s never-ending, all sufficient grace, mercy, and love.
So as Believers, let us exemplify the fruit of the Spirit. It’s a necessity of a true believer. When looking at the fruits, if your missing the mark on majority of these, teen, I would encourage you to examine yourself. Test to see if you are truly of Christ, or just going through the motions.
For those of us who are certain we are saved, let us show self-control in our actions, so we may not get in our own way or discredit the name of Christ. We must must must excercise self-control, so we can allow for love, joy, peace, and patience.
