Do you have everything under control? I mean everything within you – do you all of you in control? Let me just get real serious, real quick here: what is the one item in your life you have trouble controlling? Do you have total self-control in the area of food? Drink? Sex? Your tongue? Today, I want to talk about the last of the fruit of the Spirit – self control. You’ll need more power than just willpower in your life to control you. You’ll need God’s power.
These nine virtues are the real signs the Spirit is in and with you. This is a series devoted to advocating living life with the fruit of the Spirit. Think of the fruit of the Spirit as signs to tell outsiders that you are followers of Christ.
You can either turn in Scripture or “turn on” Scripture (if you have your Bible on your device) to Galatians 5:
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:16-26)
I want to show you one of the truly one of the most potent things to Christianity is that the ability to control your addictions. Person after person tells us that coming to know Christ was the moment when they were at peace with themselves. There are really two halves to today’s message. First, I want to speak on the importance and need for growth in a believer’s life, and second is the importance of self-control. Knowing that this is the last in message in this series, I want to impress upon you the importance and need for spiritual growth in your life.
Fruit of the Spirit…
Here are three quick hitters on the importance of you growing in the fruit of the Spirit…
1.1 You’re Saved to Produce Fruit
“filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11).
Your goodness comes through Jesus Christ. Say this with me: Any goodness in me comes through Jesus. Fruit is the Evidence You’re a Disciple “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Fruit is the evidence that you are one of Jesus’ disciples. “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16a).
The Parable of the Four Soils is a story told by Jesus about four types of hearts. The first three soils or hearts present obstacles to the gospel’s growth. The seed of the gospel is hurt or hampered in numerous ways in the first three soils. It’s only the fourth soil that produces a crop: “Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:8). The fourth soil or the fourth heart is the only one that accepts and receives the gospel. And how do we know this? Because it produces where the other three do not. You’re to even grow in your production of fruit: “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
Shallow vs. Deep Soil
If you are frustrated with your lack of personal growth, are you living in shallow soil? In order to grow, you must develop deep roots in the Word of God: “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away” (Luke 8:13). There’s two ways to develop spiritual roots: a daily and personal time with God and a weekly small group time with other believers.
1.1 You’re Saved to Produce Fruit
1.2 You’ll be Judged by Your Fruit
Jesus tells us that when He judges every person on the last day, He’ll be looking for fruit.
1.2.1 The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that was planted, and the owner of the fig tree came looking for figs: “And he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none’” (Luke 13:6). The owner is frustrated by the lack of figs, and he asks his gardener: “And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground” (Luke 13:7)? That is a haunting question from the lips of Jesus: “Why should it use up the ground?”
The Story of the Cursed Fig Tree isn’t a parable that Jesus told but something He did. On Monday of Jesus’ last week, he saw a fig tree, and He wanted to eat of it because He was hungry. But as He approached the tree, He found only leaves and no figs. So Jesus curses the tree, and the tree withers instantaneously. Jesus did this to picture the rejection He felt by His people (Mark 13:28-31). There was no fruit or goodness coming from their lives.
1.2.2 The Parable of the Talents
Jesus tells a story about a man looking for some interest on his investments (Matthew 25:14-30). He invests different proportions of his money with three different men. After leaving the funds with them for some time, he returns to settle his accounts. The first two men received “talents,” and they made more “talents.” But the third man received “one talent” and did nothing with his money. Jesus tells this story to tell us that God expects our lives to return some investment for Him. He’s not looking for money from us but goodness. Goodness is what the Bible calls fruit.
1.2.3 The Judgment Seat of Christ
But let me offer you one more piece before I hurry along … Did you know there is a day of evaluation where Jesus Himself will judge your life? “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Every Christian will stand before Jesus Christ, and He will judge us. It’s not just unbelievers being judged here but Christians as well – “we.” And take note that you are judged by what you’ve done, “good or evil.” He is looking for good fruit to evaluate your life. See also, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27). “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Revelation 22:12).
1.1 You’re Saved to Produce Fruit
1.2 You’ll be Judged by Your Fruit
1.3 You’re Changed to Produce Fruit
“I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21b)
You cannot claim to be a Christ-follower if none of the fruit of the Spirit is evident over your lifetime. God’s Word says the heart must be changed if the heart is to be saved. Think of yourself as this bent rod. The Spirit of God is like a little flame torch that goes right at that bent section of your spirit so slowly that it softens. Gradually, it softens, and slowly, the bar of your nature can be put back straight. In fact, one of the ways to think about Christianity is a kind of cosmic orthodontics. Ortho means “straight.” God comes to make your life straight.
1. You’re Saved to Produce Fruit
2. You’ll be Judged by Your Fruit
3. You’re Changed to Produce Fruit
Self-control is the last of Paul’s fruit of the Spirit. Self-control comes in many forms, from saying no to the milkshake you so desperately want to say yes to sexual purity. Yet, self-control is anything but easy. Socrates considered the virtue of self-control as a cardinal virtue, and Aristotle included a significant section on self-control in his work Ethics.
Stanford University Marshmallow Test
Studies suggest that those with self-control will have greater success in life than those without. In the 1960s, researchers at Stanford University, when graduate students gave children a choice between one reward (like a marshmallow, pretzel, or mint) they could eat immediately and a larger reward (two marshmallows) for which they would have to wait alone, for up to 20 minutes. Years later, Michael and his team followed up with the Bing preschoolers and found that children who had waited for the second marshmallow generally fared better in life. For example, studies showed that a child’s ability to delay eating the first treat predicted higher SAT scores, and they were thinner 30 years after their initial Marshmallow Test. In later years, they earned more advanced degrees, used less cocaine, and coped better with stress.
2.1 We’re Out of Control
One of my reoccurring nightmares is that I am backing up my car, and I cannot get it to stop. I’ve had the same nightmare over and over again. I am backing my vehicle up, but it will not stop, and I have no control. My daytime nightmare is that we are equally out of control. You need to know that every Christian has two natures: the flesh (sinful nature) and the Spirit. But you live in a warzone between your sinful nature (aka “the flesh”) and the Spirit: “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 5:17).
Keep in mind that before your conversion, you were fighting against God – this is what I’m calling your first fight. You must lose the first fight and let God win. After your conversion begins your second fight. The real struggle begins when you become a believer. Rather than fighting God, God is now fighting against the evil in you.
Some of you say, “I feel more sinful now that I am a believer. Life wasn’t this hard before.” An entirely new conflict happens when you become a Christian. For many of you, life is more challenging right after you become a believer in Christ. You feel guilty all the time, and your conscience troubles you now.
Remember: the closer you get to the light, the more you see the dirt. But the fight is worth it, for look for a moment at the problem Americans have with addictions. We look manicured on the outside but are a wild mess on the inside.
2.1.1 Addictions
There are eating disorders. Every day Americans eat …
• 100 acres of pizza
• 53 million hot dogs
• 3 million gallons of ice cream
• 300 tons of candy.
It is estimated that the average American consumed the sugar content of one coke every five days in 1822. Fast-forward nearly 200 years later, and the average American consumes an average of 17 cokes every five days. Still, 101 million adults are on a diet, and we spend $2 million daily on exercise equipment. But we have drug, gambling, and smut addictions. A recent Gallup poll shows more than 33 million adult marijuana users in the US. If marijuana users resided in one state, they would be more significant than Texas and second only to California in population. Sadly, Americans spend more than $30 million daily on pornography. Teens and young adults recently surveyed said it was worse to not recycle (56 percent) than to look at pornography (32 percent).
Chris’ story has become more common in our country recently. Chris’ mom has eight children with three dads. The promiscuity she ignored in her youth caught up with her when she was ready to be responsible. Her children wanted to connect with their fathers as they grew older. Unfortunately, if she is honest, she cannot be completely clear on the identity of her son, Chris’ dad. Chris was at a loss because he wasn’t certain who his father was. Yes, something inside of us cries out for control.
2.1.2 Emotions
We are emotionally out of control. Our schoolyards have become shooting fields, and our highways have become battlegrounds. We can hear the voice in our heads say, “Get control of yourself.”
2.1.3 Finances
We are financially out of control. Americans are among the most indebted people on earth. Our nation’s credit card debt dwarfs the gross national product of many small countries. Many Americans are like professional golfer Doug Sanders, who once said, “I’m working as hard as I can get my life and my cash to run out at the same time. If I can die right after lunch on Tuesday, everything will be fine.”
2.1 We’re Out of Control
2.2 The Power of 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” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Notice that the end of the list of the fruits of the Spirit is “self-control.” Return to verses 19-21, where a catalogue of vice exists. And notice the last two listed there in verse 21: “… drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” (Galatians 5:21b). These last two are examples of wild living – “drunkenness, orgies” and they are in direct contrast to “self-control” at the end of Fruit of the Spirit.
A Biblical Survey
A quick survey of the Bible teaches us the importance of self-control for each of us. The apostle disciplines his body to “keep it under control” (1 Corinthians 9:25–27). It means not being “slaves to much wine” (Titus 2:3–5). “Self-control” is one of the things we are told to look for when searching for church leadership (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). And the language of self-control often has sexual overtones. Paul instructs Christians to “abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust” (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). Speaking to women in 1 Timothy 2:9, self-control relates to modesty and how a woman presents herself. And 1 Corinthians 7 presumes some lack of self-control in married adults that might give Satan some foothold were they to unnecessarily deprive their spouse sexually for an extended time (1 Corinthians 7:5). God has given some the calling of singleness and with it, “having his desire under control” (1 Corinthians 7:37). While others “burn with passion” and find it better to marry (1 Corinthians 7:9). The words such as “If it feels good do it” and “Whatever turns you on” are enemies to the really good life. And then there’s a powerful picture from Proverbs: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). In biblical times, a city without walls was unthinkable. Anyone could take the city at will, guaranteeing suffering for the entire community. Only strong walls could bring a peaceful night’s sleep. Just like a city without walls is someone without self-control. Our hearts need a wall to keep the marauders out.
You see, if resentment is watered, it can become murder. And if envy is watered, it can become paranoia. And rationalizing can soon become lying. Envy can grow overnight to become robbery. And lust can become adultery. What you need is a wall around us to keep out the marauders who can come in. Because, you see, those of us who tend to be resentful, there are aggravating people out there. And for those of us who tend to be greedy, there is a lot of money out there. We need a wall around us to protect our hearts. The importance of self-control
2.3 Self-Control Is Built on Spiritual Dependence
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25).
How do I keep in step with the Spirit? At least two steps to self-control…
2.3.1 Think Biblically
The road to self-control is paved with clear, intentional thinking. The book of Proverbs speaks of the forbidden woman: “she does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it” (Proverbs 5:6). Self-control begins with sharp, biblical thinking. The forbidden woman doesn’t think before she acts. You must think before you act. And you must think biblically. Self-control begins with sharp, biblical thinking.
2.3.2 Partner with the Spirit
The people at Alcoholics Anonymous speak of certain people as “the dry drunk.” Here is someone who has reformed themselves in the sense that they are sober, but the demons that drove them to drink continue to be their masters. The truth is when you drive out one master, you replace it with another. Moral reformation means you clean up your life. You tidy your life up. You make yourself decent, but you don’t put Jesus at the center of your life. If you drive out one master, others will rush in to take its place. You must find a master that doesn’t enslave you without care or compassion. We do not follow in our strength. Instead, we are led by His power.
As a wind drives the ship, so the Spirit leads your life. The Spirit is not a leader like a pace car in the “Daytona 500.” Instead, He is a leader like a locomotive on a train.
You’ll need more power than just willpower in your life. You’ll need God’s power.
