Fruitful | Self-Control

Big Idea

The Spirit gives me power to control what is within.

Introduction:

Our self-control can be a blessing for the body. The discipline I use can bless others.

Who is driving the bus? There are many things that can influence our decisions.

feelings

desires

friends

impulse

When we live a life that is based on our feelings, emotions and impulses we creates an unstable environment that can not only affect us but all those around us. Impulsive decisions have been at the helm of many a broken person. Decisions that were self-centered and in the fleshly have broken many people. Decisions guided by Holy Spirit produce a more stable and Christ-exalting result. Self-control stops us from being easily provoked.

The Spirit can produce self=control over our Words, Our Ways, and our Work

Self Controls partners with gentleness. We not only have to know how much pressure to apply, we must be able to apply that pressure in the appropriate places.

Self control can give you that split-second you need to change the course of your decision. It can help you to avoid wounding other peoples.

Self- Control overcomes the urge to:

Gossip, which ruins other’s reputations

Emotionally dump negativity on everyone, which ruins other’s peace

Be the source of current drama

I. Self Control Protects my future and those around me.

Proverbs 25:28 NKJV

28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Walls protect what’s inside. A city without walls indicates vulnerability and destruction.

When we do not excercise self control, we leave ourselves open to attack. We are unsafe.

It only takes one fleeting moment of giving in to the flesh to damage what it took years to build

.

Power Principle: Being emotionally controlled will leave a person in chaos. Emotions are wonderful servants. They are horrible masters.

People who cannot find internal regulation are often times trying to to make themselves feel more stable by controlling the world around them. That includes other peoples, thoughts, feelings and actions.

In an effort to control their world, they try to control everything around them and ultimately end up pushing people away. They cannot control their anxiousness and it causes them become a micromanger of everyone and every thing. These are people who are often critical and controlling of others while their life is really the one in shambles.

Their chronic unhappiness spills over into everyone and everything they touch. Their impulsive behavior satisfies their flesh without regard for how their satisfaction may cause harm to others.

The Spirit of God can set us free from these behaviors if we will just YIELD .

We have to mature to the point where our actions are not automatically qualified by our feelings.

II. How do I walk in Self-Control?

Galatians 5:16–17 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

περιπατέω = peripatao (ow) is a continual walking. This a committed lifestyle that is dependent on the Holy Spirit.

σάρξ = sarx the self centered core nature or ego that operates in rebellion against the creator.

That battle that you are feeling indicates that the spirit is alive and well in you. This indicates that I will live a constantly submitted life.

“A submitted life is a free life”

“I am freed from sin when I become a Slave to Christ.”

When I turn over control of my life to God, I am am submissive to Holy Spirit. When I become a slave to Christ, I give him my FULL allegiance and commitment. I cannot have Full allegiance to kingdoms at the same time.

II. Who’s the Boss?

Romans 6:8–12 NKJV

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

We must ask the question “Am I letting sin dominates in my life?”

We have the power to acknowledge and reject behaviour that is out of God’s will.

III. Discipline is Direction

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NKJV

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Discipline helps me to finish well. Galatians 5:25

Galatians 5:25 NKJV

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Many times we fail because we rely on ourselves.

Self control is not in our trying. It is in our yielding.

Conclusion:

Today’s call is simple. A desire to submit to Christ. A desire to led by the spirit and allow ourselves to take a back seat. Christ will be glorified, saints will be edified and we will be set free. If you are tired of battling, I encourage to commit to walk in the Spirit today. To live a life that is Spirit led and Spirit Driven.