Understanding the Essence of Self-Control in Galatians 5:22-26

The Fruit of the Spirit SELF-CONTROL-Galatians 5:22-26

Galatians 5:22-26 - NKJV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22-26 - KJV 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Characteristics of the fruit of the spirit Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Meekness Temperance FAITH GUAGE 4

Introduction - Self-control Self-control Defined: From the Greek word, Egkrateia translated Temperance - KJV and Self-control - ASV, NAS, NIV, NKJV The word conveys strength as one takes hold of or has a grip on self Robertson - It comes from the word kratos (strength), and means one holding himself in Thayer - the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites - Greek-English Lexicon, pp. 166-167 Macknight - Where this virtue subsists, temptation can have little influence We can see why this virtue is so necessary in overcoming the works of the flesh (such as fornication and outbursts of wrath - Gal. 5:19-21)

Self-control Defined This Word Found Three Times in the N.T. Acts 24:25 It is included along with righteousness and judgment the word follows righteousness , which represents God s claims; therefore self-control is to be man s response to such claims - Vine Galatians 5:16-18, 22-26 It is evidence of one walking in the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit

Self-control Defined Word Found Three Times in the N.T. 2 Peter 1:6 Peter teaches that it is to be added to knowledge it follows knowledge , suggesting that what is learned requires to be put into practice - Vine Self-control, then, is being in control of one s self; in the context of the Scriptures, the control of self so as to be in harmony with the will of God. It is easier to define than it is to develop!

Self-control Defined It is one who is in control of self, especially his emotions: Joseph refrained from further tears Genesis 43:30-31 Haman refrained from outward burst of anger Esther 5:9-10 It is the master of self This virtue was lacking in the life of Felix Acts 24:24-26

Developing Self-control The scriptures describe the difficulty of mastering self-control Solomon declared it is easier to capture a city than to be in control of our spirit Proverbs 16:32; cf. Proverbs 25:28 Just controlling the tongue is a difficult challenge Failure to bridle the tongue renders our religion vain - James 1:26 It is easier to tame wild animals than control the tongue - James 3:7-10

We Can have Self-Control when In Christ Paul described the dilemma he was in when he had only the law - Romans 7:14-24 This dilemma leads to: The inability to perform as one wishes, despite a desire to - Romans 7:18 Being in captivity to the law of sin - Romans 7:23 Despair - Romans 7:24 The remedy is stated in Galatians 5:24!

We Can have Self-Control when In Christ The remedy revealed ...those who are Christ s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires - Galatians 5:24 This does not deny the fact there is still a battle going on - Galatians 5:17 Those in Christ have been transformed - Rom. 12:1-2 This took place when they were united with Christ in His death, in baptism - Romans 6:3-6 We are raised from baptism to walk in newness of life, free to live for God! - Romans 6:7, 12-13 This does not mean we are no longer tempted to sin But in Christ, we have freedom from the dominion (absolute rule) of sin! - cf. Romans 6:14

We Can have Self-Control when In Christ For those in Christ there is added strength as we walk according to the Spirit We enjoy freedom from the condemnation of sin cf. Romans 8:1 There is also freedom also from the power of sin, freedom from the law (principle) of sin and death Romans 8:2

We Can have Self-Control when In Christ The law (principle) of the Spirit of life in Christ provides this freedom! This refers to the aid of the Spirit to help us overcome the deeds of the body cf. Romans 8:11-14; Ephesians 3:16, 20 This is what Paul refers to in Galatians 5:16-18, 25 If you walk in the Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the body by the help of the Spirit, will you defeat the lust of the flesh? Since you have been made alive in the Spirit (cf. John 3:5; Titus 3:5), you must also walk in the Spirit (that is, utilize the help that God s grace provides through His word) - cf. Titus 2:11, 12

Our Responsibility Trust in God s Word, that by His grace... Our old man of sin was indeed crucified with Christ in baptism - Romans 6:6 We did indeed crucify the flesh with its passions and desires - Galatians 5:24 God can indeed strengthen us by His Spirit in the inner man - Ephesians 3:16 That with God s help we can do all things according to His will - Philippians 4:13 Then, by faith, continue the process begun when baptized... Put to death the deeds of the body - Romans 8:13 Put to death our members here on the earth Colossians 3:5, 8-9

Our Responsibility Put ON the NEW man... A process which also began in baptism, when we put on Christ - Galatians 3:27 A process which continues as we grow daily cf. Colossians 3:10-14 Work as though it all depends upon you Philippians 2:12 Remember that you are not alone, that God is at work in you too! Philippians 2:13

Conclusion As we obey God in the doing of His Will, self- control will be a natural byproduct (i.e., evidence that one is walking in the Spirit) We cannot overestimate the importance of developing self-control in our lives... Without it, we cannot defeat the temptations that come our way Without it, we cannot overcome the works of the flesh Without it, we cannot grow as we should in Christ Without it, we cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit !

Conclusion Yet in Christ we have every reason, every motivation, to develop the virtue of self- control... We have been set free from the dominion of sin We have the aid of God through His Spirit that guides us, through the word We even have the assurance of forgiveness when we fall (1 John 1:9), knowing that as long as we are willing to repent and try again, there is help from God! The key question is Do we trust the Lord to help us, enough so to walk by faith and do His Will?

Conclusion They That Are Christ s Have Crucified The Flesh - Galatians 5:24 Christians belong to Christ and do not have liberty to do as we please - Matthew 7:21 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with Make Your Practice Declare What You Claim To Be - Galatians 5:25 its passions and desires. We cannot merely overcome the flesh, but instead of a life of sin, we attain new virtues by producing the fruit of the spirit - John 15:4-8 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Conclusion Do Not Desire Vain Glory -Galatians 5:26 Vain glory comes from boasting in matters of NO value. We cannot be proud in empty accomplishments - Luke 18:10-11; 1 Peter 5:5-7 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Robert Harkrider on Self-control Temperance - (Enkrateia) - Self-control may well crown the list of virtues which are mentioned in opposition to the works of the flesh. One must rule his own spirit to have victory in Christ. He must have dominion over his passions, thoughts and desires. In Paul s preaching to Felix, the word self-control follows righteousness indicating the proper order after a man understands God s will (Acts 24:25). Likewise, in 2 Peter 1:6, self- control follows knowledge suggesting that what is learned must be put into practice. One who bears the fruit of the Spirit will not carry out the desires of the flesh (Gal. 5:16), but like Paul, will buffet his body (1 Cor. 9:27). His life will be in obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:12-14).

Harkrider on Against such there is no law In contrast to the works of the flesh which bring condemnation by the moral law of God, these graces are not forbidden by any law. In fact, this is said to encourage every believer to manifest these qualities instead of the works of the flesh. These virtues that come through being led by the Spirit are the truest fulfillment of the law.

What Shall We Do? Acts 2:38 Alien sinners must Hear the Gospel Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6 Believe it John 8:24 Repent of sin Acts 17:30 Confess that Christ is God s Son Matthew 10:34 Be baptized to wash away your sin Acts 2:38 An erring child of God must Repent and Pray for Forgiveness 1 John 1:7-9 Endure Trials - be faithful unto death Revelation 2:10