Galatians 5:16-25 ESV
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 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. 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. 24 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.
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1. Self-Control Defined
-The ability to control our earthly passions and desires.
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Galatians 5:24-25 ESV
24 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.
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Titus 2:11-12 ESV
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
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2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
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Luke 9:23 NLT
23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
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2. Control of our mind.
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Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
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2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
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Philippians 4:8 ESV
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
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3. Control of our body.
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1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
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Proverbs 25:28 ESV
28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
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1 Timothy 6:11 NLT
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
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4. Control of our emotions.
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Proverbs 16:32 ESV
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
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Matthew 12:34 ESV
34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
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James 3:10 ESV
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
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Psalm 19:14 ESV
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
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Application:
Living a life of self-control requires submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in my life.
