Galatians # 26 Gal 5-22 thru 5-25
In our KJV it calls the 9th fruit of the spirit, ‘Temperance’ it would be better translated, ‘Self-Control.’ Self-Control is more commonly used today than Temperance. And Self-Control is something that we have received from the HS it’s also something that we have to exercise in our own daily life. We already have the fruit of Self-Control in our hearts, but it’s up to us to bring it to the surface, to manifest it in the natural realm.
I) We need to be temperate or exercise Self-Control in all things.
A) A Christian that lacks Self-Control can very likely be in sin. It’s a necessary part to the Christian life.
1) It is possible to gain Self-Control by purely natural Self-Discipline.
2) But how much further can we go in this fruit of Self-Control, if it’s been given to us by the HS who dwells in us.
B) 1COR 9:24‑27
1) The whole metaphor here is taken from the old Grecian games or Olympic Games, every competitor had rigorous training before he could compete, during this rigorous training he had to be temperate in all things.
2) Even athletes today do much the same thing; they exercise temperance or Self-Control. Many athletes train daily with hard physical exercise and they’re in the best physical shape.
3) Yet people think it’s fanaticism if a Christian takes as much pains to maintain their spiritual fitness.
a) It’s no wonder that we have so few spiritual athletes.
b) But God still rewards His Daniels; those who refuse to defile themselves, those who exercise Self-Control.
c) Let’s look at a story of someone that had the fruit of temperance or Self-Control.
(i) DAN 1:8‑21
(ii) When Daniel would not eat what he knew to be wrong, from the word, God blessed him.
4) There’s one key that Paul used to walk in temperance, and that’s found in (1COR 9:27), “But I keep under my body, and bring {it} into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
II) One area that we really need to have Self-Control in is with our time.
A) In this day there are too many things that can steal your time.
1) Things like TV, Games, Football, Baseball, Ice Hockey, sometimes fellowships, hobbies, and many others.
2) I’m not against those things, but in excess they can steal your time.
a) You have to exercise Self-Control.
B) COL 4:5
1) You need to use every chance that you have to tell people about the Good News.
C) EPH 5:15‑16
1) The Living Bible says it this way, “So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools, be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.”
2) I think all of us see that it is important how we use our time.
III) In another area that we have to exercise Self-Control in is with our temper.
A) PRO 16:32
1) We need to control our anger. If you do you are better than the mighty.
a) The word “Spirit” in this V would be better translated “temper or anger.”
b) If you can rule you’re temper or anger you are greater than one who takes a city.
2) Why do you think that’s so?
a) Because if you can exercise Self-Control and Self-Discipline the Lord can use you in any area.
(i) You’ll be powerful for Him.
b) All things are possible to them who believe.
(i) This is just a side thought, but we also need to use Self-Control in the area of doubt and unbelief.
(ii) It’s easy for the natural mind to get into doubt, but you have to discipline your self to bring every thought {imaginations: or, reasonings} captive to the obedience of Christ. (2COR 5:10)
B) ECC 7:9
1) It’s never right to become anger quickly.
2) (EPH 4:26) Says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” [Wrath is the same word as anger.}
a) ? How can you be angry and not sin.
b) Well, there is such a thing as righteous anger.
c) But this same V says, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”
d) In other words don’t stay angry.
3) MAT 5:22
a) If you’re angry with your brother without cause, you’re in danger of judgment, or even hell’s fire.
b) This V says “Without cause,” I’m not going to touch on what is an appropriate cause to have anger.
c) My best answer is, be angry at the Devil and love your brother and your enemies.
(i) Most other translations don’t have that phrase, “Without cause.”
d) It’s better and safer not to be angry with your brother.
e) The best is to hate sin and love one another.
C) Look at V. 23 OF MAT. 5.
1) If you have an offense against anyone, or if you know they are offended at you, go to him and make it right.
2) (JAM 1:19) Says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
3) Use Self-Control and don’t be angry with your brothers or sisters, be angry at the Devil and do something about him.
a) This V also tells us to be slow to speak. When you’re angry, many times you speak off the top of your head, and say things you don’t mean, things you’ll be sorry for it latter.
b) Exercise Self-Control in what you say.
IV) TIT 1:7‑8
A) Now God’s not a respecter of persons. If He wants 1 person to be this way He wants all of to be that way.
1) (Titus 2:2‑6) Says, “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate (or SELF‑CONTROLLED), sound in faith, in charity, in patience. (3) The aged women likewise, that {they be} in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, (5) {To be} discreet (OR TEMPERATE), chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (6) Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded (OR TEMPERATE.)”
2) It’s interesting that the words “Discreet” and “Sober Minded,” both mean “TEMPERATE,” but slightly different than the word temperance found in (GAL 5:23). (Our list of the fruit of the spirit.)
a) Both of them basically mean ‘To have inward strength, or Self-Control;” but when Paul was speaking to young men and young woman, the word still means self-control.
b) But also what’s added is that they should be, ‘Moderate as to opinion or passion - Discreet, Sober, Temperate, curbing one's desires and impulses.’
B) One thing that we have to remember here in closing is that all of the Fruit of the Spirit comes from inward strength, not our strength, His.
TFC 10/22/89 and WOLCC 9/11/94 Sun AM and Thursday, November 20, 1997