My B.(F). F
Be (Fresh) Fruit of the Spirit Chapter: 14
FAITHFULNESS
Welcome to the final video and welcome to the final chapter in this study. I’m going to examine the word self-control in its entirety. First, we must discover the definition and meaning of self-control? What does it mean to have self-control how important is it to have self-control?
Self-control is the ability to handle your emotions; while, faced with a trail. For example, let’s take a common problem, saving money. In one year, you want to save enough money to take a trip to Israel, but every month you spend your money, because every time you see a new electronic device you simply have to have it. Or, when you see a new outfit, you think you simply must add it to your closet. What is a person to do?
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I would describe self-control here as a skill that is not set in stone. When I find myself in this predicament, I simply do not go to places where these items are sold, because I know that I will buy it if I have the money. So, you set yourself up for success not failure.
The first thing I would do is take out the money on the first day you get your paycheck. Put the money in a Christmas club savings. This will make it hard to get the money out, because you actually have to go to the bank to withdraw it. Putting it in this type of account before your faced with temptations will help.
Lastly, set a realistic goal amount to save a month. Don’t try to save all the money in the first month. This style only works half the time. Set a small goal amount! Maybe 5% of your paycheck.
Self-control is the ability to regulate ones emotions, so that we can meet a goal. Biblically speaking, self-control in the Greek, meant might or power. The world wants us to believe that this fruit of the spirit is actually a skill that can learned to control. However, this is partially wrong. If you do not have the spirit; then, you might not be able to fully control your thoughts and actions, but this is why God gave us the comforter. He gave us the comforter; so, that we can control, our surroundings and outcomes. For example, I don’t say everything that comes into my mind, because I know it will hurt someone’s feelings. How about you? What is your experience with controlling the tongue? (James 3)
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Scripture tells us it’s about impossible but with self-control we can control what we do with the thoughts that it brings. Yes, it may a little hard work, but it can be accomplished.
As Christians, we know that we are born into a fallen world; therefore, we are born with a sinful nature. (Ephesians 2:3) scripture tells us in Genesis 6:5, that we are evil. There is no good in us -outside of the Holy Spirit. This is why we sin. This is why we are born with a sinful nature. While, we are in this flesh we sin, but we have an advocate with the father! Praise God! We even have the Holy Spirit who helps us avoid temptation. This is why the scripture tells us that for every temptation God makes away of escape. One of our ways of escape, is the fruit of the spirit, self-control. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Self-control is necessary, because we do not have it absent of the Holy Spirit. People that we see that are doing good things are unctioned by God to do so, because scripture tells us that we are continually evil. So, does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans? Let’s consider the following scripture: (Habakkuk 1:5-11)?
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Habakkuk 1:5-11 is a prophecy in which God relates His intention to raise up Babylon, a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purpose. This raises the question, does God sometimes use evil to accomplish His plans?
There is an important distinction to be made between God controlling evil and God creating evil. God is not the author of sin, but He can use sinful men to attain an objective. Romans 8:28 says, “For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” “All things” includes both good and bad things. God can use struggles, heartbreaks and tragedies in ways to bring about His glory and our good. Such events, even though we don’t understand the reason for them, are part of His perfect, divine plan. If God could not control evil, He would not be God. His sovereignty demands that He be in control of everything, even “dreaded” nations such as Babylon.
At the same time, the Bible is clear that God does not sin and He performs no evil. James 1:13 teaches, “God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice” (Matthew 5:48).
The problem in Habakkuk is that God was using the Babylonians (an evil people) to accomplish His will. Our wise and perfect God can and sometimes does use the sin already existing in our world to fulfill His purpose. The perfect example of this is Jesus’ crucifixion: the murder of Christ was an evil act, but through it God redeemed His elect and “disarmed the [demonic] powers and authorities” (Colossians 2:15). In Habakkuk’s day, God’s purpose was to bring judgment on Judah for their idolatry. Babylon was the instrument of His judgment Isaiah 10:5).
Scripture tells us that we can’t just follow our heart because our feelings our emotions are affected by the fallen sinful world. Our nature is evil; therefore, we can’t just trust them. Well, how effect and influence self-control? Well, the characteristic of self-control is unique, because of what we just spoke about above. For almost each characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit examined how God exemplifies that characteristic. With each fruit of the Spirit God upholds it in His character. Therefore, the Spirit or Spirit lives inside of us and we are going to proof that He lives. People see us being loved, joyful, gentle, faithful, patient, kind, and upholding self-control. But does God have self-control?
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Let us look at an Old Testament example of someone who did not practice self-control and then examine an example of someone who showed us self-control! King David and Bathsheba is the example of someone not showing self-control. What happened? Read Second Samuel chapters 11 and 12 and in the space below record the main events.
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David first mistake was deciding not to go to war. So, he walks out on his roof sees a woman beautiful bathing. King David summons her to meet him and then he lies with her. He was told that Bathsheba was the daughter of Elam the wife of Uriah. But David not practicing self-control now
Does the wrong thing. And as we know sin always takes us further then we want to go and there are always consequences for our actions. He gets her pregnant and commits murder. Finally, because of his continued lack of self-control his baby dies.
Now, that we have reviewed the poor case of self-control let us examine another famous character of scripture, – Joseph! Please take time and review his story. Next, I share with you some important highlights:
- Joseph Joseph is working and in living in a Potiphar’s house
- In fact, he’s been very successful God’s blessed and Potiphar put him over everything.
- Potiphar’s wife had sexual desire for Joseph, but Joseph had self-control. He refused his wishes.
Paul says, in this verse, that there are far more sins, but these sins were unique to the Galatians. Personally, it is Christmas right now, and I see a lot of stealing. I even felt lead to confront someone and I ended up leading them to Christ. I don’t think I’ll ever see them come here, but I hope I do. I told them all about our compassionate ministries and the Holy Spirit kept them from being charged.
These are just examples and other examples of self-control are mentioned throughout Scripture. What are they?
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We need to prayerfully consider where do I need self-control in my life.
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In our lives we are going to struggle but it is not the same struggle of someone who does not have the Holy Spirit. We need to first recognize the problem and then ask God for his help. The great news is that we have been promised power. Our strength comes from the comforter. Not so that we might be able to control ourselves, but so that can have self-control. For instance, Ephesians chapter 6 and verse 10 informs us be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Aren’t you glad it’s not our might and our strength? If it was, I would not get that far.
The last thing that we want to cover in this chapter, is the last three or four words. So here it is: Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version) “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
I had to pray about this for a while. I was totally confused on what the following Meant: there is no law. Then, I studied the laws of the flesh. The law of the flesh generally has natural laws against them and are punishable in the court system, but there are no laws against using the fruit of the spirit. Here, we can visualize a scale. On one side of the scale, you have a good and on the other side of the scale you have bad. I always want the scale to be tipped in my favor. I always want to be found guilty of being on the good side. Always want people to watch and see the fruit of the spirit; so, all others may be drawn to God. When people see the works of the spirit, they know that God is alive and active in our life. But on the flipside, when evil Ness is a bound, people have a right to question where God is. God never changes and God never lies; people do. God will never be found guilty, but people are found guilty and are true in there guiltiness.
It is impossible to enforce or reinforce the laws of the spirit. It is impractical to think that you can force someone to love someone else. We know that we are saved when we love the brother. We must have love in order to have peace, love, joy. Love is the connecting factor. Love is the route. Because God loved us he said Jesus Christ. Because we love the father we work. Because of Jesus Christ we will meet Heaven are home. Finally, we can practice the fruits of the spirit all we want to, because there is no law against it. In fact, it proves that we are Christians.
In fact, the very next verse, 24, tells us that Christians have crucified their flesh. Crucified means put to death. If we have put something to death; then, it is seen and known no more. We have a lifestyle summarized and characterized by the fruits of the spirit. Therefore, if your life is characterized by the works of the flesh, then you walk by the flesh and not by the spirit; and therefore, will be punished according to the works of the flesh. The punishment for the work of the flash is hell. Hell, or also known as Hades is a true place that men and women spend eternity in. There is no air-conditioning and there is no water. It is a continual burning flame: morning, noon, and night. Choose this day, whether you will serve the Lord or serve Satan?
