Living in Freedom: The Power of Self-Control

Devotional

Day 1: Discipline Flows from Divine Relationship

Self-control is not about imposing strict rules upon oneself; it is the beautiful result of a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. When individuals spend time in prayer and immerse themselves in the Scriptures, they often discover that their lives naturally begin to produce more fruit. This isn't a consequence of trying harder, but rather a result of surrendering more fully to the Spirit's work within them. The discipline that emerges from this relationship is not burdensome; it is a joyful expression of love and commitment to God's will. [34:05]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4 ESV)

Reflection: How can your daily routine be adjusted to include more intentional time for prayer and Scripture reading, fostering a closer relationship with Jesus?

Day 2: Environment Shapes Self-Control

The struggle with self-control is not solely a spiritual battle but is also influenced by one's environment. Understanding the six sources of influence—personal and social motivation, as well as personal, social, and structural ability—can significantly impact one's capacity to exercise self-control. By creating a supportive environment and community, individuals can better equip themselves to grow in this area. It's about intentionally shaping one's surroundings to nurture and encourage growth in self-control. [55:37]

"Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

Reflection: What is one change you can make in your environment or social circle that will positively influence your journey towards greater self-control?

Day 3: Freedom from Legalism

The fruit of the Spirit, including self-control, should not be turned into a new law. Embracing the freedom that comes from living by the Spirit leads to a life of discipline and moderation without the weight of condemnation. This freedom allows individuals to live in a way that honors God, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a genuine desire to follow His lead. The Spirit enables a life that is both disciplined and joyfully obedient. [01:04:41]

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be prone to legalism, and how can you practice living in the freedom of the Spirit this week?

Day 4: Aligning with God's Will

Self-control as a fruit of the Spirit is about aligning one's life with God's will. It is not merely the ability to resist temptation but the pursuit of a life that reflects God's heart. The Holy Spirit provides both the desire and the power to live according to our deeper, God-given desires. This alignment leads to a life that is disciplined and joyfully obedient to God's direction. [49:29]

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

Reflection: What is one aspect of your life that needs to be realigned with God's will, and what practical steps can you take to initiate that alignment?

Day 5: No Condemnation in Christ

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This profound truth should penetrate the hearts and minds of believers, freeing them from the cycle of shame and failure. Understanding that one is loved and accepted by God provides the motivation to live a disciplined life, not out of fear of judgment, but out of gratitude for the grace received in Christ. [01:02:54]

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1 ESV)

Reflection: How can the assurance of no condemnation in Christ change the way you approach areas of your life where you struggle with self-control?

Sermon Summary

In our journey through the sermon series on the fruit of the Spirit, we have arrived at a profound understanding of what it means to live a life marked by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is not a set of laws or burdensome obligations; rather, it is the natural outgrowth of a life saturated in the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The transformation we seek in our character—be it love, gentleness, or self-control—does not come from striving harder but from abiding more deeply in Christ.

As your pastor, I confess that the Holy Spirit convicts and shapes me just as much as anyone else. We are in this together, and it is through mutual encouragement and accountability that we grow. Today, we focused on self-control, a fruit that often seems elusive. Yet, we learned that self-control is less about sheer willpower and more about disciplined living, a life that recognizes the need for boundaries and moderation.

We delved into Romans 7, where Paul speaks candidly about the struggle between our stronger desires and our deeper, God-given desires. The law, while good, was insufficient to change hearts and bring about true self-control. It is through Jesus Christ that we find deliverance from sin and the power to live a disciplined life.

In our pursuit of self-control, we must recognize that it is not solely a spiritual issue but often a practical one. We discussed six sources of influence—personal motivation, social motivation, structural motivation, personal ability, social ability, and structural ability—that can help us overcome our struggles. By leveraging these influences, we can create an environment conducive to growth in self-control.

As we closed, we were reminded that in Christ, there is no condemnation. Our failures and struggles do not define us. Instead, we are invited to live in the freedom of God's grace, which empowers us to live disciplined lives, not out of shame, but out of a desire to love God and others more fully.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

In Romans 7:15, Paul says, "For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." What does this reveal about the struggle between our desires and actions?
According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the nine fruits of the Spirit, and how is self-control described among them?
How does Romans 8:1 provide a resolution to the struggle described in Romans 7? What does it mean that "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"?

Interpretation Questions

How does Paul differentiate between the law and the Spirit in Romans 7? What does he suggest is the limitation of the law in achieving self-control? [44:09]
The sermon mentioned six sources of influence that can help us grow in self-control. How do these sources relate to the practical aspects of living a disciplined life? [50:10]
What does it mean to live a life "saturated in the presence of Jesus and the Holy Spirit" as described in the sermon? How does this impact our ability to bear the fruit of the Spirit, including self-control? [33:02]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you struggled with self-control. How did your environment and influences contribute to that struggle? What changes can you make to create a more supportive environment? [55:03]
The sermon emphasized that self-control is not about legalism or self-imposed shame. How can you shift your focus from trying harder to abiding more deeply in Christ? What practical steps can you take to spend more time in prayer and the Word? [34:05]
Think about the six sources of influence mentioned in the sermon (personal motivation, social motivation, structural motivation, personal ability, social ability, and structural ability). Which of these areas do you need the most support in, and how can your small group help you in this area? [50:10]
Romans 8:1 states that "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." How does this truth impact your view of your own failures and struggles with self-control? How can you remind yourself of this grace in moments of weakness? [01:02:54]
The sermon mentioned the importance of mutual encouragement and accountability. How can you be a better cheerleader for someone else in your small group who is struggling with self-control? What specific actions can you take to support them? [32:32]
Identify one practical discipline you can implement this week to grow in self-control (e.g., fasting, saving money, setting boundaries). How will you hold yourself accountable to this discipline? [57:02]
The sermon highlighted the difference between stronger desires and deeper, God-given desires. What are some of your deeper desires that align with God's will, and how can you focus on these to overcome your stronger, more immediate desires? [43:01]

Sermon Clips

1) "I think we just try to do it on our own and it just doesn't work. We need teachers and coaches in our life, and we need cheerleaders, we need accountability." [54:17] (Download | )

2) "Self-control is not a law; be free from the shame and the condemnation that comes from unmet expectations and quit blaming the Holy Spirit for your lack of self-control." [01:06:20] (Download | )

3) "A spirit-filled life is one of discipline. It recognizes that moderation is often far better than overindulgence." [59:47] (Download | )

4) "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I do what I don't want to do and it's sin that's living in me, not you." [01:01:21] (Download | )

5) "Paul says you are not bad, you are saved by the blood of Jesus, and that then gives us motivation and gives us reason to live a disciplined life, to live a self-controlled life." [01:04:41] (Download | )

6) "When it comes to our problems, our battling in self-control, it's often a math problem, not a spiritual problem." [55:37] (Download | )

7) "The fruit of the Spirit, there are nine different fruits that Paul identifies in Galatians 5... This is not a comprehensive list... these are things that should sprout, that should be a result of a life that is lived in the Spirit." [34:05] (Download | )

8) "I think we often fall prey to our stronger desires over our deeper desires... to be able to differentiate between our strong desires and our deep desires." [43:16] (Download | )

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