Empowered Self-Control: Choosing Freedom in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing the Important Over the Urgent

Self-control is not just about restraining oneself but is about having the strength within, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to choose what is important over what is urgent. This strength allows us to abstain from desires and temptations that lead us away from God's path. The Greek word for self-control, often translated as temperance or self-restraint, literally means "strength within." It is the ability to control one's thoughts, words, actions, and desires. Tim Keller aptly describes self-control as choosing the important over the urgent. This choice is crucial in various aspects of our lives, such as finances, relationships, and personal conduct. Without self-control, we are like a city without walls, vulnerable to destruction. [49:39]

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV): "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

Reflection: What urgent desires or distractions are currently pulling you away from what is truly important in your life? How can you ask the Holy Spirit to help you prioritize what matters most today?

Day 2: The Danger of Vulnerability Without Self-Control

Without self-control, we are like a city without walls, vulnerable to destruction. The works of the flesh, such as jealousy and fits of anger, are evident when we lack self-control, leading to destruction and preventing us from inheriting the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 warns us about the works of the flesh, which are evident when we lack self-control. These works include sexual immorality, jealousy, fits of anger, and more. They lead to destruction and prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. However, self-control is not something we can achieve on our own. It is not about trying harder or imposing more rules. True self-control is a result of walking by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. [54:49]

Proverbs 16:32 (ESV): "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel most vulnerable to losing self-control? How can you invite God to build spiritual "walls" of protection around these areas?

Day 3: The Illusion of Self-Control

True self-control is not about trying harder or imposing more rules. It is not something we can achieve on our own. Instead, it is a result of walking by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. Walking by the Spirit involves daily practices such as prayer, reading God's Word, and responding in obedience. It is about feeding the desires of the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh. When we remain connected to the source of life, Jesus, we bear much fruit, including self-control. This connection empowers us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us, freeing us from the bondage of our desires. [01:00:36]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength rather than the Holy Spirit for self-control? How can you shift your focus to walking by the Spirit today?

Day 4: Walking by the Spirit

Walking by the Spirit involves daily practices such as prayer, reading God's Word, and responding in obedience. It is about feeding the desires of the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh, allowing us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us. When we remain connected to the source of life, Jesus, we bear much fruit, including self-control. This connection empowers us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us, freeing us from the bondage of our desires. Ultimately, self-control allows us to live in a way that reflects the love of Christ to the world. [01:04:26]

Galatians 5:16 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Reflection: What daily practices can you incorporate into your routine to ensure you are walking by the Spirit? How can these practices help you cultivate self-control?

Day 5: Reflecting Christ through Self-Control

Self-control allows us to live in a way that reflects the love of Christ to the world. It is about living a life that points others to Jesus and His transformative power, experiencing the freedom and fulfillment that only a relationship with Jesus can provide. As we grow in self-control, we experience the freedom and fulfillment that only a relationship with Jesus can provide. This empowerment enables us to abstain from desires, passions, and temptations that lead us away from God's path. [01:07:34]

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Reflection: How does your self-control (or lack thereof) reflect Christ to those around you? What is one specific way you can demonstrate Christ-like self-control in your interactions today?

Sermon Summary

Self-control is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey, as it is the fruit of the Spirit that holds all others together. Today, we explored the concept of self-control, its significance, and how it can be cultivated in our lives. Self-control is not merely about restraining oneself from certain actions or desires; it is about allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to choose what is important over what is urgent. This empowerment enables us to abstain from desires, passions, and temptations that lead us away from God's path.

The Greek word for self-control, often translated as temperance or self-restraint, literally means "strength within." It is the ability to control one's thoughts, words, actions, and desires. Tim Keller aptly describes self-control as choosing the important over the urgent. This choice is crucial in various aspects of our lives, such as finances, relationships, and personal conduct. Without self-control, we are like a city without walls, vulnerable to destruction.

Galatians 5:19-21 warns us about the works of the flesh, which are evident when we lack self-control. These works include sexual immorality, jealousy, fits of anger, and more. They lead to destruction and prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. However, self-control is not something we can achieve on our own. It is not about trying harder or imposing more rules. True self-control is a result of walking by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds.

Walking by the Spirit involves daily practices such as prayer, reading God's Word, and responding in obedience. It is about feeding the desires of the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh. When we remain connected to the source of life, Jesus, we bear much fruit, including self-control. This connection empowers us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us, freeing us from the bondage of our desires.

Ultimately, self-control allows us to live in a way that reflects the love of Christ to the world. It is about living a life that points others to Jesus and His transformative power. As we grow in self-control, we experience the freedom and fulfillment that only a relationship with Jesus can provide.

Key Takeaways

1. Control as Strength Within**: Self-control is not just about restraining oneself but is about having the strength within, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to choose what is important over what is urgent. This strength allows us to abstain from desires and temptations that lead us away from God's path. [49:39]
2. The Vulnerability of a Lack of Self-Control: Without self-control, we are like a city without walls, vulnerable to destruction. The works of the flesh, such as jealousy and fits of anger, are evident when we lack self-control, leading to destruction and preventing us from inheriting the kingdom of God.

3. The Illusion of Self-Control: True self-control is not about trying harder or imposing more rules. It is not something we can achieve on our own. Instead, it is a result of walking by the Spirit, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds.

4. Walking by the Spirit: Walking by the Spirit involves daily practices such as prayer, reading God's Word, and responding in obedience. It is about feeding the desires of the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh, allowing us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us.

5. Reflecting Christ through Self-Control: Self-control allows us to live in a way that reflects the love of Christ to the world. It is about living a life that points others to Jesus and His transformative power, experiencing the freedom and fulfillment that only a relationship with Jesus can provide.

** [49:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Introduction to Self-Control
[05:00] - The Meaning of Self-Control
[10:00] - The Urgent vs. The Important
[15:00] - The Works of the Flesh
[20:00] - Vulnerability Without Self-Control
[25:00] - The Illusion of Self-Control
[30:00] - Walking by the Spirit
[35:00] - Daily Practices for Spiritual Growth
[40:00] - Feeding the Desires of the Spirit
[45:00] - Reflecting Christ through Self-Control
[50:00] - The Purpose of Self-Control
[55:00] - Experiencing Freedom in Christ
[60:00] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[65:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Self-Control

Bible Reading:

Galatians 5:19-23
Proverbs 25:28
John 15:5

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Observation Questions:

What does the Greek word for self-control, often translated as temperance or self-restraint, literally mean? How does this definition relate to the concept of self-control discussed in the sermon? [49:39]
According to Galatians 5:19-21, what are some of the works of the flesh that become evident when we lack self-control? [54:49]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between self-control and the other fruits of the Spirit? Why is self-control considered crucial in holding them together? [49:39]
What analogy does the sermon use to describe a person without self-control, and what does this analogy imply about the importance of self-control? [54:49]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the difference between choosing what is urgent and what is important? Why is this distinction significant in the context of self-control? [49:39]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-control is not merely about trying harder or imposing more rules? How does this perspective align with the message of Colossians 2:23? [01:00:36]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in cultivating self-control? What daily practices are recommended to walk by the Spirit? [01:04:26]
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate purpose of self-control in a believer's life? How does this purpose relate to the freedom that Christ offers? [01:07:34]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a recent situation where you chose the urgent over the important. How might you handle a similar situation differently in the future with the help of the Holy Spirit? [49:39]
Identify an area in your life where you struggle with self-control. What practical steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area? [01:00:36]
The sermon mentions that whatever desire you feed will be the strongest. What are some specific ways you can feed the desires of the Spirit in your daily life? [01:04:26]
Consider the analogy of a city without walls used in the sermon. How can you build "walls" of self-control in your life to protect against destructive behaviors? [54:49]
How can you use your self-control to reflect the love of Christ to those around you? Identify one relationship where you can demonstrate this in the coming week. [01:07:34]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of community in growing in self-control. How can your small group support each other in this journey? What specific actions can you take to encourage one another? [01:04:26]
Reflect on the freedom that comes from walking in the Spirit. How can you remind yourself of this freedom when faced with temptations or challenges? [01:07:34]

Sermon Clips

"The meaning of self-control. The Greek word that is used in this passage is often translated temperance or self-restraint. The word broken down literally means strength within. Self-control is the ability to control one's thoughts, words, actions, and desires." [00:46:41] (18 seconds)

"Tim Keller said of self-control, Self-control is the ability to always choose the important thing over the urgent thing. And I think he hits the nail on the head in that explanation. You see, we lack self-control when we have a greater desire for the thing that is urgent, the thing that is right in front of us, than we do for the thing that's most important." [00:47:40] (21 seconds)

"As we look throughout the fruit of the Spirit, perhaps love is the greatest of all of these qualities. But I believe self-control is the one that holds everything together. Because a person who lacks self-control will likely struggle in the areas of love and joy and peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and for sure, gentleness." [00:49:04] (22 seconds)

"Galatians 5, 19 through 21 says this, Now the works of the flesh are evident. Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissension, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." [00:49:41] (29 seconds)

"You see, a life that lacks self-control, that indulges in the works of the flesh. It may appear fun, exciting, satisfying for a season, but the reality is it leads to destruction. I want you to see what Proverbs 25, 28 says. It says, a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. It's destroyed." [00:53:22] (24 seconds)

"The problem with self-control is not with self-control in and of itself. It's probably the problem that we have with it. You see, most of you, when you hear this phrase, you get excited because we've been walking through the fruit of the Spirit and week after week, we've said, hey, this isn't something you can produce yourself." [00:55:22] (17 seconds)

"You and I cannot overcome or control our sin, the passions, the desires that we have on our own. I want you to see what Colossians chapter two, verse 23 says. It says, these indeed have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." [00:56:21] (23 seconds)

"I'm here to tell you today, you will not produce or grow in self-control in your life because you strain, because you try, because you do more. Self-control will be produced in your life when you remain connected to the source of life. I want you to see what John 15 5 says. This is Jesus speaking. He says, I am the vine and you are the branches." [00:58:52] (23 seconds)

"But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify or give into the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. These are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do." [00:59:40] (18 seconds)

"To walk represents a pattern of one's life. Walking by the Spirit implies direction, but also empowerment, that the Spirit guides us in the way that we should walk, and He gives us the power to live and to walk that way. You see, the only way to conquer the flesh is to yield to the Spirit." [01:02:27] (18 seconds)

"You see, the reason that self-control is so important is because it allows us to experience the freedom that Christ has given us. When the Holy Spirit empowers you to the point where you can abstain from anything, you're walking in freedom. When you are no longer controlled by your desires, but the Holy Spirit has given you the power to have control over them, you're walking in freedom." [01:06:19] (26 seconds)