How To Develope Self-Control

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Before fruit is produced several things have to happen

digging, planting, cultivation, pruning, watering, the work of the sun, etc.

The fruit just does appear, nor is it glued on it has to be developed

In today’s message we’re going to look at 5 things every Christian must do to develop self-control

1. Know God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:15–17 ESV

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

First on the “To-do” list

Look at God’s will as a straight line - compare to needing a wheel alignment.

Once your will is aligned with God’s will every thing else follows

How do you find out what God’s will is?

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

This is a LEARNED Religion

It’s great when you can say to yourself “Yeah, better not do that because it’s wrong..” And you have book, chapter and verse for it.

2. Be award of the Danger of Lack of Self-Control

Matthew 5:29–30 ESV

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

If anyone doubts that the Bible teaches of the reality of Hell, you have to realize that Jesus is the one that talks the most about Hell.

And so, how to develop self-control, number two: be aware of the danger of the lack of self-control.

Addictions - gambler story

Satan gets a pinkie-grip he can steer the whole body

If God doesn’t control you Satan does (this is an elective choice)

Many people who have abandoned the church, usually have done so because there was one thing they could not control and eventually that one thing took over their spiritual lives and demolished it.

3. Be Prepared to Suffer

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

If Satan has a hold of you in some area of your life he is not going to say, “Oh I see you’re a Christian no, so you are off limits to my temptation’

Most people who fail at gaining self control over self, They fail because they think this should come without cost.

Lifeway Research

Asked church leader to choose the potential idol with the most sway over people in their church:

comfort (67%)

control or security (56%)

money (above the others.

If I perceive that it’s too difficult, then I’m not going to do it.

(Judas failed slide)

When we realize that our bodies and fleshly mind will react violently, when our will begins to exercise godly control, it makes the effort just a little bit easier to handle.

1 Peter 4:1 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Be prepared to suffer. That didn't hurt at all.

Be prepared to suffer, yes, but also be prepared to rejoice as you see yourself liberated from the slavery of sin.

4. Pattern Your Life After Winners, Not Losers

if you want to fly like an eagle, don't hang around with the chickens.

1 Thessalonians 1:6–8 ESV

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

What kind of Christians do you think your children are going to be?

These people here in Thessalonica, they were pagans and the change in them was due to the fact that they model their behavior on what they wanted to become, not what they once were.

Be the Christian God wants you to be

not matter if it feels unnatural

If we're smokers, or drinkers, or gossips, are sexually impure, we'll never overcome these things, If we hang around with people who have similar vices.

Water conforms to the temperature in the room

5. Pray

Luke 22:39–43 ESV

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

"Man, I want to avoid that stuff." But sometimes, circumstances, our ignorance, we fall to temptation.

The Spirit inside is willing to do what's right. It's the flesh that double-crosses us.

Titus 2:11–12 ESV

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,