FOS 14- Self Control part 2 and final thoughts about Fruit of the Spirit

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Self control requires us to create our own boundaries in a world that increasingly removes boundaries. God has given us boundaries, but we must maintain them and enforce them within ourselves. As a parent learns when raising a small child, boundaries are actually freeing. If we know the limits, we can feel safe within them. They bring order from chaos. God has shown us examples of this in His creation of the universe in the first two chapters of Genesis.

God has shown us where to set our boundaries, but the temptations and distractions of the world often draw us to move past those boundaries with promises of better things. This is like in the garden of Eden. God had given Adam and Eve a boundary, Satan tempted them to move past it, and they did not hold to the boundary. 

We now have something Adam and Eve did not—the power of God in us, the Holy Spirit. Yet often times we push back on the Spirit within us, refusing to listen to His prompting. Or perhaps we’ve forgotten what our boundaries are, or struggle to discern them in a world that looks quite different from the one in the Bible. Let’s turn to God’s word to let Him shine light on self-control.

Review from last lesson:

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (ESV) Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1. What is our imperishable wreath and how does it differ from an athlete’s imperishable one (wreaths made of leaves were used to crown winning athletes in ancient times)? Our prize is eternity with God in heaven. It won’t crumble and become worthless like the leaves of ancient wreaths, and it’s more than an adornment, it will affect us wholly forever. 
2. How can you discipline yourself to keep under control in ways that reflect Christ? Study God’s word and read it every day, pray and ask God to show your areas of weakness, and ask His Spirit to grow you and strengthen you in those areas. 
3. Why might the lack of self control disqualify your preaching or sharing of the gospel? If people see that I do the very things God calls us not to do, they will think I am a hypocrite, that God has no power to change or He isn’t real, and that being a Christian is worthless. 

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (ESV) I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works.

1. What is the contrast in these verses for women? Adorn ourselves in modesty, self-control, good works as opposed to braided hair, gold, pearls, costly attire
2. Is it saying we can’t braid our hair or wear nice clothes? A key phrase is what is proper for women who profess godliness. If we profess godliness, we want people to notice Christ in us, not our flashy outward appearance. Likewise it’s not calling us to dress in sackcloth or dress frumpily as if we have no care at all about our appearance. Dress appropriately for wherever we are going and keep it modest. Whether we’re going to a formal dance, a wedding, the pool, shopping, church, etc we can wear something that is flattering and appropriate. 
3. Why might the things we adorn ourselves be important for Christian women? If we don’t dress modestly, we may cause our brothers in Christ and others who are not our husbands to stumble. We don’t need to add to the temptations they are already constantly faced with. As for jewelry, costly attire, and hair we can find balance. It is not our physical beauty that will point people to the Lord, but our spiritual beauty—the fruit of the Spirit that they see in us. When we don’t spend as much money adorning ourselves, we can give more to the things of God. All of our things and money are his. A ten percent tithe is a small gift for the Lord who created the universe. We can also give offerings. We can get creative. There are so many beautiful items available that are on sale or at consignment shops, or maybe don’t have a name brand. Additionally, physical things will all burn up and our beauty will fade. As Christians, we are not storing treasures on earth, but in heaven. What can we do to that end if we free up more of our money, time, and focus?

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

1. Look closely at the qualities that are grouped with the lack of self-control. We see so much of this in the world around us. What does verse 5 say about these people? They have the appearance of godliness but deny its power. Avoid such people. How might understanding this help us in our interactions with them? We can’t expect people who don’t acknowledge God to act with true godliness. 
2. How can we be a witness in the world and still follow the last sentence in verse 5? We can do ministry in our community that gives us an opportunity to reach people we don’t normally associate with. We can avoid using divisive language on our social media and instead share the gospel and life giving truths of God’s word. Not that there aren’t times and places we might share more controversial topics, but it is hard to communicate effectively on social media. 
3. Read verse 7 again. What part does truth play in the list of evil at the beginning of the passage? They are all self centered actions. They all come from avoiding the most important truth—that God is Lord over all mankind both believers and unbelievers and His laws and ways are right. They place self above God. 
4. According to your knowledge of God and scripture, how might we arrive at knowledge of truth? Studying God’s word. John 17:17

Of key importance in self-control is knowing what apects of our character we need to control. That knowledge comes from God’s word. It is our only way to check ourselves. We may think God is telling us this or that through His Spirit, but if we don’t know His word, we can’t verify if what we hear conforms to God’s desire for us. Proverbs 2:6 (ESV) “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

John 17:17 (ESV) “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

2 Peter 1:3-10 (ESV) His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

The previous 2 Timothy 3 verses showed us a list of qualities of those who are against God which included lack of self-control. This 2 Peter lineup gives us a beautiful guide that includes self-control.

1. List out the things you discover we should supplement our faith with. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly, affection, and love
2. Verse 3 tells us God has “granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. ”What has He granted it through? Knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence
3. What does it seem to be saying is the reason we need to supplement our faith? Because there is corruption in the world that leads to sinful desires.
4. From reading this passage, why do you think God calls us to supplement with these things? God has granted us these tools to aid us in withstanding the temptations of our desires that lead to sin, we should utilize them.
5. What does verse 9 seem to be saying? If you aren’t working towards this godly list of qualities that includes self control, you are taking Christ, sacrifice and salvation for granted. Romans 6:1-2 says it plainly: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Read on in Romans, six for more on this topic)

Verse 10 says be “diligent to confirm your calling and election.” This does not mean that our salvation is in doubt, but it is a way of reaffirming what is already true.

Final Thoughts:

The goal while on earth is to be imitators of Christ and become more like him through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. We will not attain such perfection until heaven, but that should not hold us back from setting it as our goal. If I have not made this abundantly clear, please understand our actions do not achieve or maintain our salvation. It was accomplished by Christ and is maintained by God.

We need to fortify ourselves daily with God’s word, not just casually, reading a verse here or there, but studying God‘s word in depth and systematically. This will help us tie together the truths of God in a way that helps us understand the heart of God. In addition to the study of his word, we need to be in constant communication with God through prayer and taking the time to be quiet and listen. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (ESV) Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

Colossians 3:1-5 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

*Of key importance in self-control is knowing what we need to control. That knowledge comes from God’s word. It is our only way to check ourselves. We may think God is telling us this or that through His Spirit, but if we don’t know His word, we can’t verify if what we hear conforms to God’s desire for us. Proverbs 2:6 (ESV) “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

John 17:17 (ESV) “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Growing our fruit of the spirit is just like growing edible fruit. It is a lifelong endeavor that requires constant attention. Is there enough nourishment from God’s word and time spent with Him. Do we need to prune back areas that are out of control? Maybe we need to enlist help with an accountability partner or prayer partner or a mentor who has had experience and can guide us. 

During our sanctification as Christians, the time between when we become a Christian, and when we meet God, face-to-face, we should be continually producing fruit of the spirit. Stay in the word daily, talk to God daily, meet with other believers for encouragement and accountability, and go out and share Jesus with the world.

Matthew 5:14-16 ESV - "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.