07 March 2021 (am) – Galatians 5:16-26 – SELF-CONTROL
 | Andy Bruins preaching from Galatians on Sunday 7th March 2021. |
The eight part of the fruit of the Spirit is Self-control
“Self-control” is a bit of a misnomer. Left to ourselves we fail miserably in the battle with the desires of our sinful nature. What is needed is the help and the strength that the Holy Spirit provides the believer as we live and walk with Him.
Our sinful desires constantly hammer at us, and self-control (or as the older translations put it ‘termperance’) is that virtue which resists them by ruling our passions and (by God’s grace) choosing to obey him instead.
Here’s a brief definition:
Self-control is the ability to pursue the important (What God wants) over the urgent (our desires).
Q Read Proverbs 25:28. What is the picture given here to describe a man who lacks self-control? Why are walls a good picture of self-control?
Q Read Galatians 5:16. What does Paul say is needed if we are not going to gratify the desires of our sinful nature? Why isn’t discipline, grit and determination what we really need?
Q Read Titus 2:11-14. How do we learn to say “no” to “ungodliness and worldly passions””? What does v12 actually mean when it says grace teaches us?
Q How would you counsel a brother or sister who is struggling with a lack of self-control in the areas of anger, lust, envy etc?
