Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Self control 2

Self-Control is not to be only exercised in sexual matters but in every area of our lives. Let me give you an example: How many times we wanted to buy something, rather than wait until we can afford it, we pull out the credit card and buy it too soon. Rather than wait on God to fulfill his promise, we decide God needs a little help, so we take action and create a mess.

That’s what happened to Abraham. He and Sarah waited for the promised son, but each month nothing happened. Finally after a long wait, Sarah came up with a good idea. She gave her maid, Hagar, to her husband and told him to have a son through Hagar. Because Abraham and Sarah didn’t exercise self-control, havoc was created. It was a good idea but not a God idea. The result of their inability to wait on God, has created a problem in the Middle East that is still not solved today.

Now please understand ‘Self-Control’ is not a gift that can be just picked up, it’s a fruit, so it has to be cultivated. It takes time but it’s worth the effort.

A biblical example of self-control:-

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Apostle Paul teaches us there are three qualities of the self-controlled life.

1. A self-controlled life has positive goals. (9:24)
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.

2. A self-controlled life involves discipline. (9:25)
All athletes practice strict self-control.

3. A self-controlled life demands focus. (9:25b-26)
They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.

Everything is permissible for me, but not profitable. I will not be mastered or controlled by anything. I will be led by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but the Anointed One lives in me. The life I now live I lived by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)