Self- Control
(Fruits of the Holy Spirit)
Gal 5: 22
1. Psalm: 11
2. Judges 16:4-18
3. Genesis 39:11-18
Today we come to the ninth and final fruit of the Spirit – the fruit of self-control. Self-control means having power over your body’s desires and passions. It is impossible to succeed in anything without some degree of self-control. We need self-control for health reasons, for completing everyday tasks and for positive relationships with other people.
When the Spirit has control of our thoughts and actions, then we'll be able to think before we act and have the willingness and strength to follow God's will for our lives.
Self-control requires that we think before we act. If we fail to do this, we will regret it later. We must have a strong desire to obey God.
Self-control has to do with your desires. “I will grow in self-control as I allow the Spirit to subdue my desires.” Outside of Christ my desires are controlled by my sinful nature. Only as I yield control to God through the Holy Spirit will I gain victory over my wrongful desires. And so, the key to self-control is giving God control. You gain self-control when you give God control of your life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
(1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; Titus 2:2-6; 1 Peter 4:7, 5:8).
For every indulges Christian, self-control is a necessity for living our new life in Christ
The struggles of many Christians to walk in self control over the urges of the flesh is the problem of the post-modern church. We have a christianity that says we want christianity but without discipleship. We want to love jesus and have jesus love us but still live like the rest of the world. The absent of self-control led to blatant immorality and abuse of grace.
In order to have self-control in our lives we must realize
1. What is out of control (Kattupadu) – our desires?
a. James 1:14-15 - We must confess, “It is my life that is out of control.”
b. Galatians 5:19-21 – Works of the Flesh
c. Jesus said our sins come from our heart – Mark 7:21-23
A Life that is dominated by fleshly desires is a life that is out of control.
2. Who is in control (Kattupadu) – God?
? We must confess, “God is in control.”
? All things were created to serve God’s purposes – Romans 11:36
? Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 Consider King Nebuchadnezzar “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men.”
? (Exodus 9:16) God told Pharoah – “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth”.
3. How we have self-control – Jesus and the spirit.
? Romans 8:13 – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
? Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
? Galatians 5:16-18
? 2 Timothy 1:7 – “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
God wants us to practice self-control in our lives so that we will not be dominated by our own sinful desires and so that we will fulfill His great purposes for our lives.
Three things god hates
1. The Lust of the Flesh (mamisathin ichai)
2. The Lust of the Eyes (Kangalin ichai)
3. The Pride of Life (Jeevanthi Parumai)
• Judges 16:4-18: Samson lost his anointing because of his lust.
• Genesis 39:11-18: Joseph ran away from Potiphar’s wife.
• 2 Samuel 11: David sin with Bathsheba
If Your are blessed
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Rev. NORMAN BERNAD
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