Self-Control: Guarding the Fruit God Grows Within

Devotional

Day 1: The Fight for Self-Control: A Daily Spiritual Battle

Self-control is not simply a personality trait or a matter of willpower; it is a daily, Spirit-empowered battle that every believer must engage in. Like the Israelites who were given the Promised Land but had to fight for every inch, we are given the gift of self-control by God, yet we must actively resist temptation and say no to sin to protect what God is growing within us. The very presence of this struggle is evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, prompting you to resist the pull of the flesh and to desire what pleases God. When you feel that tension, remember that it is not a sign of failure, but a sign that you belong to Christ and are being transformed by His Spirit. [06:03]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Reflection: Where in your life do you most feel the daily battle between your desires and the Spirit’s leading, and how can you invite God into that struggle today?

Day 2: Self-Control Guards What God Is Growing in You

Self-control acts as a protective barrier, much like the peel of an orange, safeguarding the sweet fruit that God is cultivating in your life. Without self-control, all the other fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—are left vulnerable to attack and can be plundered by the enemy. Just as a city without walls is open to destruction, a life without self-control is exposed to the destructive power of sin, which can undo the progress God has made in your heart, relationships, and spiritual growth. Guarding your heart with self-control is essential to preserving and sharing the gifts and growth that God has entrusted to you. [11:01]

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

Reflection: What is one area of spiritual growth or gifting in your life that you sense God wants to protect, and what practical step can you take this week to guard it?

Day 3: Grace Trains Us to Say No to Sin and Yes to God

God’s grace is not only the starting point of salvation but also the ongoing power that trains us to renounce ungodliness and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives. Grace takes us by the hand, teaching us to say no to old patterns of sin and yes to the beauty of God’s holiness. As you grow in faith, the “no” of self-control becomes possible and even joyful as you see the goodness and holiness of Christ. It is not guilt or fear that transforms you, but the ongoing, patient work of grace shaping your desires and actions for a lifetime. [16:45]

Titus 2:11-13 (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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Reflection: In what specific situation today can you let God’s grace—not guilt—lead you to say no to sin and yes to something that honors Him?

Day 4: The Source of Self-Control: Surrender to Christ, Not Self

True self-control is not about mustering up more willpower or relying on your own strength; it is about surrendering your life to the control of Christ and allowing His Spirit to produce self-control within you. Trying harder in your own power will eventually lead to frustration and failure, but when you depend on the Spirit, you find the strength to put to death the deeds of the flesh and to live in the freedom and power God provides. Self-control is evidence that Christ, not self, is reigning in your heart, and it is by His Spirit that you are able to walk in victory. [23:58]

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

Reflection: What is one area where you have been relying on your own strength to change, and how can you intentionally surrender that area to Christ’s control today?

Day 5: Self-Control Prepares You for Eternity and Blesses Others

The daily practice of self-control is not just about personal holiness; it is about preparing for eternity with Christ and ensuring that what God is doing in you can be shared with others. The world may see self-control as foolish, but as believers, we know that every “no” to sin is a “yes” to God’s eternal purposes. The habits and boundaries you set today are not just for your own benefit—they protect the Spirit’s work in you so that you can bless others and reflect Christ’s holiness. Fix your eyes on Jesus, your blessed hope, and let the promise of eternity motivate you to guard what God is growing in your life. [29:31]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Reflection: What is one boundary or habit you can put in place this week to help you fix your eyes on Jesus and protect the Spirit’s work in your life for the sake of others and eternity?

Sermon Summary

Self-control is both a gift from God and a daily battleground for every believer. Just as Israel was given the Promised Land but had to fight for every inch, so too are we given the gift of self-control, yet must actively contend for it in our lives. This struggle is not a sign of failure, but evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work within us, creating a tension between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit. The fight for self-control is real and ongoing, but it is also a sign that we belong to Christ and are being transformed by Him.

Self-control is not merely about personal discipline or willpower. It is the fruit of the Spirit that guards and protects all the other fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness. Without self-control, all that God is growing in us becomes vulnerable to attack and destruction. Proverbs likens a person without self-control to a city without walls, open to being plundered and left in ruins. Self-control is the evidence that the Spirit, not self, is reigning in our lives. When Christ is in control, our desires begin to align with His, and we are empowered to resist temptation and live upright, godly lives.

Grace is not just the starting point of our salvation; it is the ongoing power that trains us to say no to ungodliness and yes to God. Grace is like a good coach, not condemning us when we stumble, but picking us up and training us day by day toward holiness. The “no” of self-control becomes possible and even joyful as the “yes” to God’s holiness becomes more beautiful to us. Guilt may change our behavior for a moment, but only grace transforms our desires for a lifetime.

Ultimately, self-control is not about bringing ourselves under our own control, but about surrendering to Christ’s control. The power to say no to sin and yes to God comes not from our own strength, but from the Spirit who lives within us. Like the peel of an orange protects the fruit inside, self-control guards what God is growing in us, so that His work can flourish and be shared with others. The call is to fix our eyes on Jesus, to put boundaries and habits in place that protect the Spirit’s work, and to trust that, by His grace, we are being transformed for eternity.

Key Takeaways

1. Self-control is both a gift and a battleground Self-control is promised to us by God, but it must be actively fought for each day. The struggle itself is not a sign of spiritual failure, but rather evidence that the Holy Spirit is alive and working within us. This daily battle is a mark of belonging to Christ, as we resist the pull of the flesh and respond to the Spirit’s leading. [04:13]
2. Self-control guards and protects spiritual growth Without self-control, all the fruit the Spirit is growing in us—love, joy, peace, and more—becomes vulnerable to attack and destruction. Like a city without walls, a life without self-control is open to being plundered by sin and the enemy. Self-control is the protective barrier that preserves and nurtures God’s work in our hearts. [10:12]
3. Grace trains us to say no to sin and yes to God Grace is not just the means of our salvation, but the ongoing power that shapes us into Christlikeness. It is grace, not guilt or willpower, that trains us to renounce ungodliness and embrace godly living. As the beauty of God’s holiness captivates us, the “no” of self-control becomes a joyful response to His goodness. [15:51]
4. True self-control is surrender to Christ’s control Self-control is not about mustering up more willpower or discipline, but about yielding to the Spirit’s power within us. Our strength will always fall short, but Christ’s strength is sufficient. Bringing ourselves under His control is the only way to experience lasting victory over temptation and to guard what God is growing in us. [25:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Warmth and Welcome in Community
[01:19] - Series Overview and Invitation
[02:05] - Reading the Fruit of the Spirit
[02:26] - The Promise and Battle of Self-Control
[03:21] - Israel’s Example: Gift and Fight
[04:13] - Self-Control: Gift and Battleground
[05:11] - The Daily Fight Against Temptation
[06:34] - Paul’s Teaching on Self-Control
[07:57] - The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
[09:02] - Self-Control Guards the Garden
[10:12] - Vulnerability Without Self-Control
[12:14] - Self-Control: Not Self-Powered
[13:30] - Grace That Trains Us
[15:51] - Grace Trains Us to Say No and Yes
[20:17] - Our Blessed Hope and Future Glory
[23:18] - The Power of Christ in Self-Control
[25:03] - Surrendering to Christ’s Control
[26:05] - The Orange: A Picture of Protection
[28:41] - Application: Guarding What God Is Doing
[30:01] - Prayer and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) — > But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Titus 2:11-13 (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, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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

Observation Questions

According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the different aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, and where does self-control fit in the list? ([02:05])
In Titus 2:11-13, what does Paul say grace does for us beyond just saving us? ([13:50])
How does Proverbs 25:28 describe a person who lacks self-control, and what imagery does it use? ([10:12])
The sermon compared self-control to the peel of an orange. What does this illustration suggest about the role of self-control in our spiritual lives? ([26:05])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says self-control is both a gift from God and a daily battleground. Why is the struggle for self-control not a sign of spiritual failure, but actually a sign of the Spirit’s work in us? ([06:03])
Why is self-control described as the “protective barrier” for all the other fruits of the Spirit? What happens to our spiritual growth if self-control is missing? ([10:12])
According to Titus 2, how does grace “train” us to say no to sin and yes to God? How is this different from just trying harder or feeling guilty? ([15:51])
The sermon says true self-control is about surrendering to Christ’s control, not just mustering up more willpower. What does it look like practically to bring ourselves under Christ’s control? ([25:03])

Application Questions

The sermon compared Israel’s fight for the Promised Land to our daily fight for self-control. Can you think of an area in your life where you feel like you have to “fight” for self-control? What does that battle look like for you right now? ([03:21])
Proverbs 25:28 says a person without self-control is like a city without walls. Are there areas in your life where you feel “unprotected” or vulnerable because of a lack of self-control? What are some practical steps you could take to build up those “walls”? ([10:12])
The sermon said grace is like a good coach, not condemning us when we stumble but training us day by day. When you fail in self-control, do you tend to respond with guilt or with grace? How could you let grace “coach” you this week? ([19:37])
The “no” of self-control becomes possible and even joyful as the “yes” to God’s holiness becomes more beautiful. What is one area where you need to say “no” to something, and how could focusing on God’s goodness help you do that? ([17:11])
The sermon challenged us to put boundaries and habits in place to protect what God is doing in us. What is one specific boundary or habit you could start this week to guard your spiritual growth? ([30:01])
The orange peel illustration shows that self-control protects what God is growing in us so it can be shared with others. Is there a fruit or gift God is growing in you that you want to protect and share? What might threaten it, and how can you guard it? ([26:05])
The sermon said that self-control is evidence that the Spirit, not self, is reigning in our lives. How can you tell when you are relying on your own strength versus relying on the Spirit? What would it look like to surrender more fully to Christ’s control this week? ([12:56])

Sermon Clips

The fight itself isn't a failure. If we are fighting back and forth with that self-control, with that temptation, going back and forth, that fight is something that actually means that the Holy Spirit is alive within you. Because you wouldn't have the conviction to not sin. You wouldn't have the desire to not have self-control or to say no if the Holy Spirit wasn't actively doing something inside of you. [00:05:57] (23 seconds) #TensionOfTheSpirit

Without self-control, everything the Spirit is growing in you becomes vulnerable to attack. Proverbs 25, verse 28 says this, A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. A man without self-control is like a city broken into. Think back when cities would get raided all the time, pirates and others would break into a city, and they would strip the city of its resources. They would plunder the entire city, leaving it in shambles, often burnt to the ground. And this is what Proverbs is saying to King Solomon. He's saying, man, if you were like a man without self-control, it's like somebody could come into your heart, sin comes in, and it plunders everything that God is doing in you. [00:10:12] (50 seconds) #FruitOfTheSpirit

Self-control is a gift from God. We'll touch on that more later. It isn't a personality trait. It isn't a moral upgrade. But rather, self-control is evidence of the spirit reigning where our self used to rule. Let me say that again. Self-control is evidence that the Spirit of God is in control of your life instead of yourself. [00:12:39] (23 seconds) #GraceTransforms

Self-control is important because it reveals who is in charge in your life. If you're in charge, you're always gonna drift towards pride, towards comfort, or towards compromise. But if Christ is in control, if the Spirit is in control of your life, your desires will start to align with His desires. You'll grow in humility, you'll be stretched out of your comfort zone, and you won't compromise on your values. [00:13:02] (28 seconds) #GraceTrainsUs

Grace isn't just the starting line of the Christian life. It says, For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people. And that's such an important thing. We know this as Christians. It is by grace you have been saved. Not as a result of your own works, but only by Christ, so that no one can boast. So when we think of grace, a lot of us rightly so have the impression that grace is what saves us. It is by God's grace that we are saved, and that is true. But if we stop there, it's an improper, not enough view of grace. It's an incomplete view of grace. Grace isn't just the starting line, but it is the entire grace. It's not just the reason you're forgiven. It's the reason that you're changing. [00:14:21] (44 seconds) #NoAndYes

``The no of self-control becomes possible only as the yes of holiness becomes beautiful. The no of self-control, saying no to the things that you once wanted to say yes to, becomes possible as we see the holiness of God, as we see His goodness, as we see His greatness, and we say, man, I want to look more like Him. I want to be sanctified, to look more like Christ. And Christ's holiness is so beautiful. His holiness is so great that it is no longer a burden to say no to the things of this world. [00:17:16] (35 seconds) #StrangerInExile

Guilt might change your behavior for a moment, maybe for a season, but grace will transform your desires for a lifetime. When you let the grace of God work in your life, to say no to sin and yes to Him, it will transform your desires for a lifetime. [00:19:11] (17 seconds) #TryingHarderFails

Self-control isn't about bringing yourself under your own control. It's about bringing yourself under Christ's control. Self-control isn't about bringing yourself under your control. It's about bringing yourself under Christ's control. [00:25:01] (17 seconds) #GuardWhatGodIsDoing

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