Self-control and living lives that please God are our discussion points for today. In this series on the Fruit of the Spirit we have talked about the different aspects of the fruit of the spirit that Paul lists for us Galatians 5:22-23.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In verses 19-21 of Galatians 5 Paul describes people that are out of control.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In this last message of the series we are going to look at self-control and the difference between the believer who has learned to yield their lives to the Holy Spirit and those who are still trying to live as the center of the story.
The Greek root for the word self-control means “to get a hold of ” or “to get a grip on”.
Real self-control is Holy Spirit produced fruit in us. We must come to the realization that it is not something we can do in our own strength. If we believe that somehow we are the source of our self-control we will take the credit for it rather than giving the glory to God.
We also need to understand that while this Holy Spirit provided self-control is a gift, we are still required to open it and live it out in order to experience it.
We want Jesus to get glory. We want to control ourselves in the power supplied by Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
And we must always be thankful as we remember that every step forward in self-control is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit.
We need to live lives that are pleasing to God. This type of living is not possible without God’s help. We need to know that He is with us and for us. That He loves and forgives us. That when we mess up He will forgive us and empower us by His spirit to do the next right thing.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)
1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
