Fruit of the Spirit: Self-control

Intro

When Jesus came to earth about 2000 years ago He came to rescue us.

We were born sinners

Our Character was corrupt

Genesis 6:5 NIV

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

When he rescued us he began a process of sanctification that would cause us to change.

Psalm 40:3 NIV

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

According to this verse, our of our lives should come such a great change that “Many see and fear the Lord and place trust in Him.... Because of the new song in our lives.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Why are we going over the fruit?

The Christian Training Center Course.

As Christians we should be exhibiting the fruit that is listed in this verse.

I have deliberately taught these slowly because I wanted us to have an opportunity to focus and meditate and each one of these.

Today: Self Control

The worlds way.

God’s way

Practical Application.

The World’s Way

Google - the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires or the expression of them in one's behavior, especially in difficult situations.

Good definition

Problems

Ambiguity

There is no standard.

In fact, when someone acts out, the reaction is often to make an excuse because of the pressure they were under. (HITLER DOCUMENTARY)

Darth Vader - lost his mother, lost his wife, destroyed planets and killed billions of people.

Here’s the real truth - the real standard for biblical self control is so high it is impossible to attain… It is doing and saying the right thing every single time.

Examples

Healthy Choices

Healthy Habits

Not doing the bad thing even though everything in your mind and body pushes you to.

command these stones to turn into bread.

Go ahead and jump off the building

bow down to an evil thing to more efficiently accomplish the good thing.

Doing the good thing even though it may be a small of big sacrifice.

Luke 5:22 NIV

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?

Luke 22:42 NIV

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Not my will

Hard time with this particular fruit..

There are too many examples of lack of self control that I had to repent seemingly every moment— doesn’t feel good. I had to practice self control by continuing to meditate on self control.

The world is not built that way. fast food, information highway, even the slow cooker is built to set it and forget it. We want what we want the way we want it and we want it now.

The problem of Adam and Eve was not lack of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, or gentleness. It was self control.

The fruit looked good - it was tempting to the flesh.

They heard that it was good for food - that is you could eat it.

They heard that they could be God like in their knowledge

They did not have enough self control to keep their hands off the fruit.

Genesis 6:5 NIV

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

This fruit more than any other fights with our character.

All the others immediately has emotional benefit. love.. joy.. peace.. etc

Self control is the opposite

delayed gratification - this is a deliberate restraint from giving yourself what you want… sounds exciting doesn’t it.

Best benefit.

Marshmallow experiment.

Atheletes

learning.

Developing healthy habits

Conclusion

Same with all the Fruits.

It is Miraculous.

True self control can only be obtained through walking with the Spirit.

Ask yourself .. If you were to judge yourself based on this particular fruit how would you do.

How about your coworker, your friends. Do they see you exercising restraint in difficulty?

Practical Practice.

Like a muscle - deliberately resist instant gratification.

Practical things

Set a goal.

Self Monitor -

Avoid temptation

develop a pattern of behavior (eye bouncing)

Bible things (Joshua)

fasting.

Bible reading schedule - do not let the book of the law depart form your mouth.

prayer schedule. - meditate day and night.

Remember this is a fruit.

You cant get it right without the Holy Spirit. Through your own will power you can only fake it to a certain extent and then you fall apart. So..... we pray and we ask the Holy Spirit into our life.