THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 77)

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3375

THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 77)

From Glory to Glory ( Study #56)

Walking By The Spirit #26
The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control #4

HOW TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF SELF-CONTROL?

A.REVIEW OF OUR STUDY OF SELF-CONTROL

From the previous devotions, we discovered that self-control as a fruit of the Spirit is a paradox.

How can the ability to control oneself be the result of being controlled by someone else?

The Bible teaches that, in a certain sense, the unbeliever has no free will. 

There are influences beyond his control.

Unbelievers are "slaves to sin" (Romans 6:16-20). Our sinful nature "predetermines" us to choose selfish, harmful behaviors, and our fallen world aids the process.

B. THE PROCESS OF SELF-CONTROL.

1. That is where the Holy Spirit comes in after we are born-again and freed from the bondage of sin.

He works in a believer's life, the fruit, or result is that the believer is able to pull away from the determinant of the sinful nature and make a truly independent choice. 

That is the first step of self-control.

2. Instead of choosing one sin over another, the new man in Christ can make choices based on love for God and rooted in the wisdom of God.

A decision made in the freedom of self-control will do what it can to ensure future freedom. 

Whenever we follow unhealthy appetites or society's lies, we limit our options in the future. A sinful act is another step down a dead-end road; the more steps we take, the harder it gets to make an independent choice in the future.

Abba Father, we are best served and even freest when we use our self-control to submit to Christ:

1. His Word brings life. Christ allows us to be what we were designed to be, to display the glory we were created with. 

2. His Spirit produces self-control in us, the ability to say "no" to fleshly lusts, and live in moderation and wise constraint. Indulging in sin enslaves and destroys us.

3. The Fruit of Self-control ultimately frees us to live for Christ.