Define martyr = A person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing or refusing to renounce a religion.
Martyrdom is about dying for your biblical beliefs but to live as a martyr is to spend your life living for those same beliefs. The most effective way to live as a martyr has less to do with living against something and is driven by living for something.
Galatians 5:22-24 ESV
We have talked week after week about how each of the fruit are being developed in us and how they are the very character of God.
- Self-control like each of the fruit of the Spirit plays hand in hand with all the others.
- It also touches every part of our life.
- In most cases we think of restraining ourself or resisting negative things but self-control is also knowingly doing what’s best for the kingdom and others.
Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
- We can down play the good in an effort to be humble or not allow the left hand to know what the right hand is doing so much that we actually hinder what God might be wanting to do in or through us.
- It’s good that our light shines. It’s also good that we share the good that God is doing in us.
- There is a verse that fits well here although at first first read it seems to be a stand alone verse.
Matthew 7:6 ESV
- This verse seems to be stuck between judging others and asking God for anything.
- This is about both discernment and self-control.
- Discerning when to speak into someone’s life or give a gift and the self-control to follow that discernment.
2 Peter 2:21-22 ESV
- If we aren’t careful we could act like a dog or a pig. Be respective to what others speak into your life.
- Don’t return to the old things when new ones are available.
- Jesus speaks in regard to self-control with many things.
- Anger
Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
- Lust
Matthew 5:28-29 ESV
- Retaliation
Matthew 5:38-39 ESV
- Love your enemies
Matthew 5:38-39 ESV
- Fasting
Matthew 6:17-18 ESV
- Treasures
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
- Anxiety
Matthew 6:31-34 ESV
- The golden rule
Matthew 7:12 ESV
- Paul’s speaks of self-control by disciplining his own body.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV
- This would put on trial all our senses. Sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing.
- How do we increase our self control?
- Focus on what we have freedom to do!
- Build healthy relationships.
- Create healthy relationships.
- Focus on heaven.
- Love like Jesus.
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