Our Society today is… Self absorbed Self centered Self assertive Self pity Self serving Self indulgence Self proclaimed Self praise Self esteem Self righteous Self deception Self image Self interest Self preservation
What is Self-Control? Self-Control is the ability to exercise restraint over our thoughts, our feelings, and our emotions in order to achieve a long term goal.
Galatians 5: You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Galations 5: So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galations 5: The acts of the flesh 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.
Galations 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
The Flesh vs. The Spirit This is a battle we face everyday. The flesh doesn’t want us to have self-control. It wants us to be lazy, angry, lustful, envious, and self gratified. It wants us to be ruled by our emotions and feelings. Inn order to be self-controlled, we can’t allow ourselves to be ruled by our emotions and our feelings.
The Flesh vs. The Spirit A person that exercises self-control maintains progress even when he doesn’t feel like it. We have a choice! Live a life by the flesh Live a life by the spirit, ruled by discipline and self control.
Discipline and Self-Control are not the enemy Too often we view self-control in a negative light. Discipline and Self-Control are tools that God has given us to accomplish our goals. If we don’t apply these tools then we will never live up to the expectations that God has for us.
Self-Control Today Today we are way out of control in too many areas of our lives. Attitudes Time Emotions Spending Spirituality 2 Tim. 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
How Do We Develop e Self-Control It has to be developed much like a muscle. 1 Cor. 9: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
How Do We Develop e Self-Control 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. We have to get to a point in our lives where we are more concerned about pleasing God instead of our fleshly desires.
The Lack of Self-Control is Inexcusable We have to stop making excuses for ourselves. 1 Cor. 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
The Price of Self-Control Self-Control might be uncomfortable at times. Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. It may be painful not to get our way. Or to have the right attitude when someone wrongs us. It’s going to be uncomfortable not not to give into our desires and say, “No” to the flesh.
The Price of Self-Control The pain and price of discipline and self- control is nothing compared to the pain of regret. We all have areas of our life that could use more self-control. But if we don’t exercise self-control then we’ll never have it. How long have you been dealing with the same sins in your life? This comes from a lack of Self-Control.
The Price of Self-Control The result of doing nothing is NOTHING! “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results” - Albert Einstein Just like it takes time to develop bad habits, it also takes time to develop good habits. Be patient and determined in developing self- control.
The Choice is Ours God isn’t going to force you to obey him or have self-control. The choice is yours! God wants us to have the desire in our hearts to obey him. He wants us to love him so much that we are more than willing to go through the pain of having self-control. We need to show God that he is the most important thing in our lives.
Are You Willing to Pay the Price We are the gardeners of our own lives. You can tell what’s important to people by the fruit that they bear. Mark 8:34 - Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
The Choice is Ours Example of Paul and Governor Felix. Acts 24:25 - As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
Are You Willing to Pay the Price WWe can’t get something for nothing. RRemember the price of regret is much higher than the price of self-control. AAre you willing to pay the price of self- control….of dedicating your life to God? JJesus was willing to pay the price for us!