|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV).
The Greek word for self-control means “inner enabled dominion” over our passions. Keep this idea of “inner” in mind as we learn about Biblical self-control.
We all need self-control for our lusts, diet, exercise, and t00 many items to list, but let’s include a few more — spending, anger, time management, social media, and gossip. We get the idea, we need Spirit-enabled dominion!
How can we have self-control?
Let’s get rid of a misunderstanding. When we first hear “self-control,” we think hard work, regimens, and probably failure (which often happens when we try to lose 20 pounds). Paul comments on fleshly discipline when he writes. . .
Do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed 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 (Colossians 2:20b-23).
Biblical self-control is supernatural; it’s listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as a fruit of the Spirit, not a result of regimens for the physical body. The Bible isn’t opposed to exercise and good health but teaches a different path to obtain life-giving self-control.
The Apostle Paul again hints at a better way when he writes, “… for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
Now, let’s revisit the idea of “inner” change that enables self-control.
A wise saint wrote. . .
Willpower will never succeed in dealing with the deeply ingrained habits of sin. As soon as we resist mentally any undesirable or unwanted circumstance, we endow it with more power, which it will use against us.
Haven’t we experienced this, “No, we won’t do this!” and then we do? Perhaps trying a few times with the same result, until we become discouraged and give up. Our attempt at outer to inner mastery, failing miserably, only leads to more enslavement.
The same saint mentioned above also said. . .
Inner righteousness is a gift from God to be graciously received. The needed change within us is God’s work, not ours. The demand is for an inside job, and only God can work from the inside. We cannot attain or earn this righteousness of the kingdom of God; it is a grace that is given.
Now, Paul again on the matter of self-control, “Those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17b).
Scripture teaches the inner to outer discipline plan. And no worries, Jesus is in charge of the inner transformation.
We might think, “Jesus hasn’t transformed me, how does this work?”
Easy, just ask!
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (John 14:12-14).
The inner to outer disciplines of the Spirit work wonderfully. Ask Jesus for self-control!