Control Yourself

Control Yourself

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.” (Galatians 5:22-23) TPT

Introduction:

This is a hard word. But it is true. It is not the Milk of the Word. It is a meal of the Word.

We are admonished in Hebrews 6: 1-2

“Now is the time for us to progress beyond the basic message of Christ and advance into perfection. The foundation has already been laid for us to build upon: turning away from our dead works to embrace faith in God, teaching about different baptisms, importation by the laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.” TPT 

Self-Control Illustrates:

1. Forbearance
2. Fortitude
3. Patient endurance
4. Long-suffering
5. Ability to endure persecution and ill-treatment
6. Self-control also illustrates a person who can exercise revenge but instead exercises restraint (Meekness)

Definition: Merriam-Webster

Self-control

Moderation in action, thought, or feeling (restraint), Habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions as in, Moderation in the abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages

Did you Know

Since temperance means basically “moderation”, you might assume that, concerning alcohol, temperance would mean moderate consumption, or “social drinking”. Instead, the World changed it to mean, the prohibition of all alcohol. Alcohol became synonymous with “Sin”. To temperance leaders such as Carry Nation, the safest form of drinking was no alcohol at all. Believing she was upholding the law, Nation began her hatchet-swinging attacks on saloons, known as “hatchetations”, in the 1890s. National prohibition did eventually come—and go—but largely through the efforts of more temperate (that is, moderate) reformers.

Today this same reasoning can be applied to the use of our right to bear arms and the 1^st amendment. Many speak as though the gun becomes the sin (kills) and not the user.

Let us consider this

Isn’t it true that many take the word of God and take it to extremes to fulfill their agendas? As in:

• The Temperance movement mentioned above?
• The snake handlers in the Deep South
• Misuse of the Faith message – Name it and claim it,
• If you are not Healed it is because you have: sin, doubt, or unforgiveness in your life
• Misuse of the Grace message – Not to worry, everything will be OK. God’s grace covers all, even if you do not confess or repent you are covered.

Generally speaking, Temperance means voluntary self-restraint or as we call it here, Self-Control. As mentioned above but now in different words it includes: restraint from retaliation in the form of non-violence, forgiveness, restraint from arrogance in the form of humility, modesty, excesses such as splurging, and restraint from excessive anger and, cravings. Temperance is a virtue that can especially be viewed in practice among sects like the Amish, Old Order of the Mennonites, and Conservative Mennonites.

Scripture Base: There are 12 references to Self-Control in the NLT version of the Bible. Here are some.

“He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness.” (Proverb 5:23)

“Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.” (Proverbs 16: 32)

“…He (a leader) must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.” and even their wives “…They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.” (1 Timothy 3:2, 11)

(Now Titus was relatively young at this time when Paul gave him this instruction) “Teach the older men to exercise self-control (in how they treat their wives), to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.” (Titus 2:2)

Consider this:

If a younger man in the church tried to teach you (an Elder) self-control, wouldn’t that rub you the wrong way? This is what is expressed in Titus 2:2. This is where meekness comes in. All of the fruit fit together in what I call a tapestry.

When these things happen to you:

• Do you want to get even?
• Do you seeth inside?
• Do you lose your temper”
• Do you lose your patience?
• Do you want “the last word”?
• Do you say: “Why is he (who is much less mature) telling me this?”

Think

What fruit of the Holy Spirit do you see lacking in yourself? love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness? You can exhibit all of them except, Self-Control

A Word on Discipline

In my studies, I came across some very interesting apocryphal scriptures on Discipline (Self Control)

“Watch yourself, my son, in everything you do, and be disciplined in all your conduct.” (Tobit 4:14)

“For a holy and disciplined spirit will flee from deceit, and will rise and depart from foolish thoughts, and will be ashamed at the approach of unrighteousness.” (Wisdom 1:5)

“Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself” (Wisdom 3:5 )

“A man accustomed to use insulting words will never become disciplined all his days” (Sirach 23:15)

All these teach that the Fruit of the Spirit are knit together in a Tapestry. One broken thread in the Tapestry will cause the whole to unravel and fall apart. One rotten fruit in your basket of fruit (The Fruit of the Holy Spirit) will taint all the other fruit.

“Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1) ESV

“Boasting over your tolerance of sin is inappropriate. Don’t you understand that even a small compromise with sin permeates the entire fellowship, just as a little leaven permeates a batch of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5: 6)

When we profess to be Christians the world does not usually see all the good you do. (This is fine, the praise needs to go to God and God alone.) Now don’t lie. I love accolades. “Keep them coming”, I say. But the Glory goes to God. However they (the World) will focus on the one thing said or done that is wrong, and say: “See this is what Christians do!” And, if we would believe it – this happens even among ourselves!!!! We are all under a magnifying glass. People are looking at us to fall/fail and make a mistake. They (the world) are very unforgiving. But, we are called to a much higher calling and we are accountable for all and to all.

“But the servant who does not know his master’s will and unwittingly does what is wrong will be punished less severely. For those who have received a greater revelation from their master are required a greater obedience. And those who have been entrusted with great responsibility will be held more responsible to their master.”(Luke 12:48) TPT

Even Spider-man said this when he said: “With great power comes great responsibility” This great responsibility this great requirement called for, requires self-control.

“Of Issachar, men who had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” (1 Chronicles 12:32) ESV

Let me explain this more

When we are Born Again our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once the Power of the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

We read “But I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!” (Acts 1:8)

Not witnessing what Jesus can do – that is basic and understood. But, He says, “…witnesses to Me…”

When we do this, we must accept everything that happens, as though it happens to Him – To Jesus Himself…

1. Both our praise and our blame
2. Our persecution and our reward.
3. If we are attacked He is attacked
4. If we are attacked by Satan it is Satan trying to attack Him
5. If Satan places Cancer or any sickness on us He is trying to get to Him
6. If we go against this Word in any way We are attacking Him We easily ruin His Witness through us if we lack self-control.

Did not Jesus say “And whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of my humble disciples, I promise you, he will not go unrewarded.” ” (Matthew 10:42) TPT

And again, “But if anyone abuses one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for him to have a heavy boulder tied around his neck and be hurled into the deepest sea than to face the punishment he deserves!” (Matthew 18:6) TPT

Gathering all the Fruit of the Spirit under the umbrella of “Self-Control” puts us in the driver’s seat. However, remember what I have taught previously – in the context of this message;

• Without Him, we can do nothing.
• Without us, He will do nothing
• With much power comes much responsibility Much of this responsibility comes in the form of Self-Control

So then, prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled, a greater measure of grace will be released to you. ” (1 Peter 1:13) TPT

“…and to understanding add the strength of self-control, and to self-control add patient endurance, and to patient endurance add godliness,” (2 Peter 1:6)

How does self-control help you from God’s perspective?

1.  It keeps in check self-destructive, addictive, obsessive, and compulsive behavior.
2.  With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, it gives you a sense of control over your life (for Jesus), and brings balance into your life.
3. Self-control helps to keep over-emotional responses in check or moderation (as in our reaction to correction)
4. Self-control eliminates the feeling of helplessness (Putting God in Control) and being too dependent on others – but we can and have learned to, become dependent on the Holy Spirit.
5. It helps to manifest mental and spiritual detachment from the world, which contributes to peace of mind. We as Christians are indeed separated and Sanctified.
6. It enables you to control moods and reject negative feelings and thoughts.
7. Self-control strengthens your spirit, and invokes confidence in truth (God’s Word), the Fruit of the Spirit, giving you the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (FAITH).
8. It enables you to give charge of your life into God’s hands.
9. It makes you a responsible and trustworthy human (Christian) being.

It is not difficult. It is discipline. You don’t have to make these decisions anymore. They are made for you, just know the Word of God and Do likewise.

Remember a while back when I spoke a little about Discipline and the disciplined life? A disciplined man/woman is feared in this world because the world would like to control you. A disciplined man can not be controlled. A man disciplined in The Fruit of the Holy Spirit, with Self-Control, as given by the Holy Spirit, is not of this world – this should be a picture of us.

Oswald Chambers says, “We tend to be controlled by our own experiences. Jesus wants us to have a new experience (in Him) every day. We are reminded of the Compelling power of His Majesty in 2 Corinthians 5:14 “For the love of Christ controls (Compels us) us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;”

Understand this

The World has its Trinity. It is called Me, Myself and I. In that, there is no Self Control.

But, we are held in the grip of a loving God. When we hear this from a man or woman (that we are compelled by His Love) it is unthinkable from a worldly standpoint. But, as a Christian, you will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life. It is Self-Control, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, not by our spirit (the self that is within us). This is not milk that I feed you. It is a meal on Self Control. The Word of Almighty God. Whatever you do; whether it be a Blessing or a Curse, you are doing it unto God Himself. Whatever is done to you; whether it is a Blessing or a Curse it is done unto God Himself. Your reaction to all of these things is a product of your Self-Control / by the Holy Spirit

Conclusion:

Illustrations:

The Missionary’s Triumph

Samuel Stokes, an American missionary, walked through the Punjab, carrying only a water bottle and blanket, trusting wholly to native hospitality. In one village he was given a particularly hostile reception. The headmen of the village sat in chairs in a circle, smoking, leaving him the whole evening sitting on the floor. When he asked if he might nurse their sick and teach them, they hurled horrible insults at him; but he made no reply. Then they gave him stale crusts in a filthy bowl. He thanked them courteously and ate. For two days this lasted. On the third day, the headman laid his turban at Stokes’ feet as a token of respect. He explained that they had heard that Jesus’ disciples were commanded to love their enemies, and had decided to put him to the test. The result had amazed them. Now they brought him their choicest food and were eager to hear his teaching. If he had lost his temper, he would have lost his chance.

Treatment of Insults

Sir Walter Raleigh (English gentleman, writer, poet, soldier, politician, spy and explorer (searched for El Dorado), a man of known courage and honor, being very unjustly treated by a hot-headed, rash youth, who proceeded to challenge him, and, on his refusal, spit in his face, and that, too, in public, the knight, taking out his handkerchief with great calmness, made him only this reply: “Young man, if I could as easily wipe your blood from my conscience as I can this injury from my face, I would at this moment take away your life.” The youth, with a strong sense of his improper behavior, fell on his knees, and begged forgiveness.

Paul and the Corinthians

In front of the temple under whose auspices the Corinthian games were held ran a beautiful avenue. Along its sides were marble tablets, on which were the names of the winners of prizes at the games in past years. The great ambition of every athlete of Greece was to have his name inscribed on one of those tablets. Distinction in athletics then did not bring financial reward, as in the case of the notable athletes of our day. What the athlete strove for was to have his name inscribed along that avenue of fame and to wear upon his head the laurel crown. To secure that distinction he subjected himself to the most arduous discipline and training and abstinence for ten months. At the end of that period, trained to the moment, he entered the arena and strove for mastery. It was that training that Paul had in mind when he spoke of the discipline and training to which the athletes subjected themselves, saying that all those who strove for mastery exercised “self-control in all things” (I Cor. 9:25).

I cannot emphasize this more. This is the Holy Spirit working in you to train you in all manner of Self-Control. You must have a mastery of self-control.

With all the information given in previous sessions, remember this regarding Self-Control:

1. Stop your effort of trying to be Self-Controlled
2. Start being Self-Controlled (by the Holy Spirit)
3. Again, this is the Holy Spirit working in you and through you.

Thomas A Kempis once said: “No conflict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.”

Interpretation: The greatest conflict you will ever have is to be able to control yourself. The Holy Spirit means everything.

Thomas A Kempis also said,

Without the Way, there is no going, Without the Truth, there is no knowing, Without the Life, there is no living.

Enough Said

“Thy Words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16)

END