Fruit of the Spirit – Self - Control
Galatians 5:22-23
June 3, 2018
VIDEO - PLISKOVA (tennis player showing anger at end of match. Found on youtube.)
I’m not sure if it was more fun watching Pliskova give a fake handshake to the umpire, or hit the umpires chair, or watch her opponent jump back with each hit. What happens to us when we’ve hit our limit? How do we act and react? Do we jump up and down, stomp our feet, act like a baby until we get our way? Or do we show maturity or a better phrase, show self control?
The church in Corinth was struggling with lots of issues, one of them was idol worship. It was difficult for the people to leave that behind and only worship the One true God. So, Paul addressed that issue, and as part of it he said this about temptation ~
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
What Paul means is this - - if you think you are standing tall and you believe that nothing in this world can knock you down, think twice about it. Because just when you think you’ve got everything under control, you will fall. Then he adds these great words after his warning ~
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
Here’s the great news from Paul. Everyone will be tempted. Nobody is exempt. I don’t care who you are or what you think or believe. Everyone will be tempted. Some of the best saints in this church have been and will be tempted. So, when you’re tempted don’t think, “OMG, this is unreal, nobody has ever gone through this before, I’m the only one.” Don’t believe that. You’re not the only one, temptation is common and what you’re going through may seem unique to you, but others have experienced what you are.
God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
The second part of this is even more vital for us. Paul tells us just as the scripture reads - - God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. So, when you’re tempted, God is making sure this is not over your head. So, if you’re going through a lot of tempation about whatever issue, please understand God is faithful to you, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle.
So, when we’re tempted, what’s the way out? Is there a way out? Paul tells us this about God ~
but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
So, the good news in the end is that when you’re tempted God will always give you a plan of escape. It’s like watching an Indiana Jones movie when they are stuck somewhere, and there seems no way out, but there is. God wants us to know that when you’re tempted, you don’t have to give in and say “Temptation won, I lost!” It doesn’t have to be that way, because God will always provide and escape route. That way, we can overcome the temptation.
Now, we may choose to ignore God’s plan, and embrace the temptation . . . but you can’t blame God for that one. Generally speaking, the way out is a simple one word, 2 letter answer, NO!
Just say NO! That’s what Paul says! Just say NO. His next statement doesn’t say that, but he could have easily started that phrase of “JUST SAY NO!” He said ~
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; – 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
You see! Flee from idolatry. Run from it. Just say no. And I love this, I am speaking to sensible people. So, you get what I’m talking about . . . right?
Well, all of this is a lead in to our final Sunday in our study of the Fruit of the Spirit. As you remember, Paul told the church in Galatia, who was struggling with their own dysfunction, sin and temptation issues ~
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, SELF-CONTROL; against such things there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23
Ah, self control when you’ve had that terrible no good day. . . and that chocolate cake is calling your name. Or when one more person needs your help - - - or when you think some self medication will numb you - - - or someone tells you something you don’t want to hear! Whatever it is, just say no, doesn’t always seem practical. We can say NO in our heads, but our hearts are screaming YES! You deserve it! You had a horrendous day! Indulge in whatever you want to.
So, as we’ve been doing, what’s the Biblical definition of self - control? And the biblical definition is very similar to the English definition, with one exception.
The Biblical definition is ~ "self-control" – proceeds out from within oneself, but not by oneself. It is the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions.
The dictionary defines self control as using control or restraint from your actions. So, they are pretty similar, yet the difference comes in the fact that the dictionary and the world defines self control as our ability to control or restrain ourselves. You see where I’m going? It’s all up to us.
But biblical self control means this can only be accomplished by the power of the Lord within us. That’s a huge difference. Because too many times we can’t do it on our own. We need the power and strength of the Lord to help us overcome those temptations. And that’s what Paul was talking about when he told the church in Corinth God would give them a way of escape. That’s the power which comes from within.
So, how do we get self control so we can fight off those temptations which come in all shapes and sizes?
Firstly, understand that it’s part of our will. Self control is within us. We have it, but we make a choice. Sometimes we don’t want to demonstrate self control. When we don’t, normally there are consequences to our actions or lack of actions. So, on the one hand, we have this power within us which comes from God, but God gives us the choice to basically say, YES or NO!
I can give in and take that drink, or smoke, or take those drugs. I can say yes to pornography, to anger and resentment, I can say yes to sex. I can drink and drive. I can speed. These are all choices, which are pretty simple, but we’re faced with these decisions on a regular basis.
But you may say, Pastor, at my age, these are no longer temptations! I get you! But what about the anger, resentment, bitterness. How are you handling those? What about your quick wit which gets you in trouble. Is it your tongue or does your stomach get you in trouble?
Let’s get even more spiritual - - UGH! We all have the choice as to how much of the Bible I’m going to read. Or how much I’m going to pray. Or what kind of music I’m going to listen to. Are you practicing spiritual disciplines? That’s your choice. So, self-control hits all of us. Nobody is exempt.
A little earlier in Galatians 5, before Paul lists the sins of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit, he wrote this ~
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16
Do you see what Paul’s telling us? He said, if you walk by the Spirit, if you live your life with the Spirit being real and present in your life . . . if you cultivate that relationship, then you will not please the sinful desires you have within you. You will not embrace the temptations which are thrown your way.
He then reminds us ~
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh,
for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. – Galatians 5:16-17
The two are always competing against one another. The sinful desires and the spiritual desires have these monumental battles going on within ourselves. You know what’s right, you know what’s wrong, but we make that choice about what to do.
That’s why Paul told the church in Ephesus ~
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, – Ephesians 5:17-18
This seems very simple, but there’s a deep, deep meaning in what Paul’s telling us in verse 18. Paul wanted the people to understand what God’s will is for us. It wasn’t getting drunk, as some were doing - - and then acting like they were filled with the Spirit, doing it artificially.
Instead, Paul wants us to be filled with the Spirit. That sounds simple, but this is what this really means ~ and to understand this, you’re going to get a quick Greek - English grammar lesson, without using any Greek! How’s that?
When Paul says, BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT, he’s using the present tense imperative verb with a passive voice in a plural form. Say what?!?! Yup, it’s complicated! You’re thinking this ain’t English, school’s over! But this is super important for us!!
The verse would better be translated as ~ Be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit.
That sounds like poor English, so this is what all of this means ~
Firstly, it’s in the imperative mood. When Paul says BE FILLED, it is an authoritative command. This is not an optional request. It is obligatory.
Secondly, it’s in the plural form. You can’t look to your neighbor and say, he’s talking about you. So, none of us are to get drunk and ALL of us are to be filled with the Spirit. The Spirit is available to all Christ followers.
Thirdly, it is in the passive voice. A better way to say this verse is “Let the Holy Spirit fill you.” We are the receptacle. We allow the Holy Spirit to fill us. We need to be open to this filling. What’s crucial is that we are not doing the filling . . . the Holy Spirit is. That’s vital!
Fourthly, it is in the present imperative tense. When something is in the present tense it is not a one time action, but is a continuous action. When Paul says be filled with the Spirit, he’s saying, it is an ongoing filling of the Spirit . . . it’s an action with no ending point.
Now, someone may say, I’m already filled with the Holy Spirit . . . How can you add more water to an already full glass? That’s a poor analogy. A better analogy would be to use a balloon. A balloon and we’re assuming a giant sized balloon, can have more air added, even though it appears full. In a sense it becomes more full!
It’s the same with us. We can be filled with the Holy Spirit and at the same time be able to receive much more of the Holy Spirit as well.
So, let me say this. If you’re feeling kind of defeated, struggling in this life because it’s tough out there. Let me encourage you . . . Be filled with the Spirit and He will give you a new love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
For those who say, I’m in good shape, I’m feeling the Spirit’s presence regularly. That’s great. Don’t get complacent, but give thanks to God for His Spirit and continue to find ways to keep yourself open to His filling.
In some ways, self-control is the backbone of all the fruits. We can say well, you need love for all of them, but I’ve seen love without gentleness. But to show the world who we are in Christ, the fruits are effective when we use self-control to demonstrate love to that hard to love person. When we’re gentle when we don’t want to be. It takes self control when we don’t want to be faithful or joyful. Self control is like the bow which wraps these spiritual characteristics together.
Finally, a reminder from a number of weeks ago, which ties into the Spirit working in our lives. Jesus told the disciples and us ~
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5
The onus is on us. We must be connected to the vine. The vine, Christ, is our life source. Without Him, we whither and are good for nothing.
As you seek to put the fruits of the Spirit into action, allow the Spirit to fill you, because with the Spirit, you can do anything.
