The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in the New
Course: The Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson 10
Lesson Title: Self-control
Lesson Goal: …that the student will understand that self-control is a
fruit of the Spirit and cultivat it in his or her
daily life.
Text: Galatians 5:22-23 'But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.'
Theme: Self-control is the power of the Holy
Spirit restraining us so that we are in control of our desires and passions.
Introduction: Self-control is the Greek word 'Enkrateia' - literally meaning 'in strength'.
It means
having the strength to
·
control
the desires
·
overcome
evil passions
·
have
self restraint at all times and in all things
Self-control
is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and has nothing to do with will power.
·
It
is the indwelling Spirit of God enabling us to control desires (good or evil)
and to overcome 'the works of the flesh'.
·
It
is the life of Christ in the believer.
Self-control
stands in contrast to the works of the flesh that mark a person who is
controlled by the carnal nature.
·
This
word is used in three places in the New Testament,
It is the last
mentioned fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:25
It is added to
knowledge and must produce patience in 2 Peter 1:6 .
It stands
between righteousness and judgement in Paul's message to Felix, Acts
24:25.
Introductory Story: Paul and Felix.
(Acts 24:25).
‘And
as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix
trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season,
I will call for you.’
Details concerning Antonius Felix
and Drusilla
·
Felix
was the Roman Procurator of Judaea;
·
His
wife Drusilla was a Jewess.
·
Drusilla
was youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa 1 (who killed James in Acts 12).
·
About
19 years old at time of Acts 24 (AD 57).
·
She
had been married to the King of Emesa, a small state
in
·
Felix
lured her away from her husband with the help of a magician and she became
Felix's third wife.
·
Felix
held power given by
Paul before Felix
·
When
Paul spoke to him he did not talk about his own situation but he spoke to Felix
about 'righteousness, self-control and judgement to come'.
·
Paul
had a power Felix did not have the power over the dominion of sin in his life.
·
Paul
the prisoner was free because he was the righteousness of Christ, he was
empowered in daily life by the Holy Spirit with the fruit of self-control, and
free from the judgement to come through the Lord Jesus Christ.
·
It
was Felix the Roman governor who trembled before Paul the prisoner.
Exposition:
1. The fruit
of self-control is the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit.
·
It
is not will power; it is the Holy Spirit in control of the will. The fruit of self-control is seen in
·
We
can only present our bodies as a living sacrifice with self-control, Romans
12:1-2.
·
Self-control
must guard the thought life, 2 Corinthians 10:5.
It is being transformed in the inner man so that every thought and
desire is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Paul said he brought every thought into
captivity (2 Corinthians 10:5). The Holy
Spirit was in control so that no uncontrolled thought was allowed to have
access into Paul's mind. The importance
of our thoughts is known when we realise that our minds are the dwelling place
of God; the place of communion with God.
2. Self-control is the fruit of the Spirit that
overcomes evil desires. Self-control
must stand as a sentry (guard) on the heart.
Lust cannot find a dwelling place when self-control guards the heart.
·
Young
people must cultivate this fruit. The
sins of the youth bear painful memories throughout life. 'Remember not
the sins of my youth', Psalm 25:7.
·
Self-control
must always be on guard. Not just in youth - David needed to exercise
self-control when he saw Bethsheba bathing, 2
Samuel 11:1-5.
·
Personal
Testimony:
3.
Self-control
is the fruit of the Spirit that enables the believer to live a disciplined
life.
·
It
is not works of self denial but it is a life under the control of the Holy
Spirit.
·
Self-control
not only keeps us from evil but it will also empower us so that we will not be
a stumbling block to another person, Romans 15:1-6.
The Lord gives liberty to the believer in many areas but a disciplined
life is necessary in order not to offend another believer (1 Corinthians
8:9).
Conclusion: The fruit of the Spirit, self-control
is
1)
…not
will power but the Holy Spirit in control of the will.
2)
…the
guard that keeps us from evil desires.
3)
…the
power that keeps us from offending a believer in Christ through insistence upon
our freedom in Christ.