January 27th, 2025
by Park Place Church
by Park Place Church
January 23, 2025
Self-Control: The Overlooked Fruit of the Spirit
In our fast-paced, instant-gratification world, self-control often feels like a lost art. Yet, it remains one of the most crucial fruits of the Spirit, essential for living a life that honors God and brings peace to our souls. As we explore this vital characteristic, we'll delve into biblical examples, modern challenges, and practical ways to cultivate self-control in our daily lives.
The story of David and Saul in 1 Samuel 26 provides a powerful illustration of self-control in action. Picture the scene: David, unjustly pursued by King Saul, finds himself with an unexpected opportunity. As Saul and his army sleep, David and his companion Abishai sneak into their camp. Abishai, seeing their chance, urges David to strike down his enemy. But David, showing remarkable restraint, refuses to harm "the Lord's anointed."
This moment of self-control wasn't just about sparing Saul's life. It was about David trusting God's timing and plan, rather than taking matters into his own hands. How often do we face similar temptations? The urge to seek revenge, to "right" a wrong ourselves, or to rush ahead of God's timing can be overwhelming. Yet, like David, we're called to exercise self-control, even when it seems justified to do otherwise.
David's response to Saul teaches us valuable lessons:
1. Respect for authority, even when it's difficult
2. Trusting God's plan over our own desires
3. Showing mercy, even to our enemies
These principles challenge us to examine our own lives. Where might we be lacking in self-control? The book of Proverbs highlights several areas where many of us struggle:
1. Uncontrollable lusts
2. Uncontrolled spending
3. Uncontrolled drinking
4. Uncontrolled anger
In our modern context, we might add a few more to this list:
5. Uncontrolled gaming
6. Uncontrolled entertainment (cell phones, social media, TV)
7. Uncontrolled eating
8. Uncontrolled laziness
Each of these areas represents a battlefield where self-control is desperately needed. The struggle is real, and it's one we all face in various ways. But here's the good news: self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It's not something we have to manufacture on our own, but rather a characteristic that grows in us as we yield to God's work in our lives.
Consider the words of Daniel Ekst: "Life in modern Western cultures is like living in a giant all-you-can-eat buffet offering more calories, more credit, more sex, more intoxicants, and just about anything else one could take to excess than the forebearers might have ever imagined." In this "smorgasbord of debauchery," as he puts it, self-control becomes even more crucial.
So how do we cultivate this essential fruit of the Spirit? Here are seven practical steps:
1. Admit that you have a problem with self-control. Honesty is the first step towards change.
2. Yield to the Lordship of Christ. Recognize that true self-control comes from submitting to God's authority in your life.
3. Cultivate the disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. These spiritual practices strengthen our connection to God and help us resist temptation.
4. Invest in spiritual friendships. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in your walk with God.
5. Limit bad influences. Be intentional about what you allow into your mind and life.
6. Practice good habits. Replace destructive behaviors with positive ones.
7. Welcome gracious correction. Be open to feedback from trusted friends and mentors.
Remember, self-control is not about perfection, but progress. It's about making wise choices and allowing God to transform our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time.
One of the most powerful insights we can glean is that our thoughts lead to our feelings, which in turn lead to our behaviors. If we want to change our actions, we need to start by addressing our thought patterns. This is why the Bible emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).
It's also crucial to recognize that our struggles with self-control don't exist in a vacuum. They affect not only us but also those around us. For example, the widespread issue of pornography addiction in the church isn't just a personal problem – it's weakening the body of Christ as a whole.
As we strive to grow in self-control, let's remember the example of David. Even when faced with his enemy, he chose to show respect and humility. He didn't take a "power stance" or act superior, despite being in the right. This teaches us that true self-control is closely linked with humility and love for others.
In a world that often celebrates excess and instant gratification, choosing self-control can feel countercultural. But it's precisely this kind of "against the grain" living that sets followers of Christ apart. We're called to have a biblical worldview, one that may not align with popular culture but aligns with God's heart.
As we close, let's reflect on these questions:
- In what areas of your life do you struggle most with self-control?
- How might your life look different if you allowed the Holy Spirit to cultivate more self-control in you?
- What practical steps can you take this week to grow in this area?
Remember, the journey towards greater self-control is not one we walk alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, the support of our faith community around us, and the grace of God empowering us every step of the way. May we embrace this fruit of the Spirit, allowing it to transform our lives and impact our world for the better.
God Bless!
Self-Control: The Overlooked Fruit of the Spirit
In our fast-paced, instant-gratification world, self-control often feels like a lost art. Yet, it remains one of the most crucial fruits of the Spirit, essential for living a life that honors God and brings peace to our souls. As we explore this vital characteristic, we'll delve into biblical examples, modern challenges, and practical ways to cultivate self-control in our daily lives.
The story of David and Saul in 1 Samuel 26 provides a powerful illustration of self-control in action. Picture the scene: David, unjustly pursued by King Saul, finds himself with an unexpected opportunity. As Saul and his army sleep, David and his companion Abishai sneak into their camp. Abishai, seeing their chance, urges David to strike down his enemy. But David, showing remarkable restraint, refuses to harm "the Lord's anointed."
This moment of self-control wasn't just about sparing Saul's life. It was about David trusting God's timing and plan, rather than taking matters into his own hands. How often do we face similar temptations? The urge to seek revenge, to "right" a wrong ourselves, or to rush ahead of God's timing can be overwhelming. Yet, like David, we're called to exercise self-control, even when it seems justified to do otherwise.
David's response to Saul teaches us valuable lessons:
1. Respect for authority, even when it's difficult
2. Trusting God's plan over our own desires
3. Showing mercy, even to our enemies
These principles challenge us to examine our own lives. Where might we be lacking in self-control? The book of Proverbs highlights several areas where many of us struggle:
1. Uncontrollable lusts
2. Uncontrolled spending
3. Uncontrolled drinking
4. Uncontrolled anger
In our modern context, we might add a few more to this list:
5. Uncontrolled gaming
6. Uncontrolled entertainment (cell phones, social media, TV)
7. Uncontrolled eating
8. Uncontrolled laziness
Each of these areas represents a battlefield where self-control is desperately needed. The struggle is real, and it's one we all face in various ways. But here's the good news: self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It's not something we have to manufacture on our own, but rather a characteristic that grows in us as we yield to God's work in our lives.
Consider the words of Daniel Ekst: "Life in modern Western cultures is like living in a giant all-you-can-eat buffet offering more calories, more credit, more sex, more intoxicants, and just about anything else one could take to excess than the forebearers might have ever imagined." In this "smorgasbord of debauchery," as he puts it, self-control becomes even more crucial.
So how do we cultivate this essential fruit of the Spirit? Here are seven practical steps:
1. Admit that you have a problem with self-control. Honesty is the first step towards change.
2. Yield to the Lordship of Christ. Recognize that true self-control comes from submitting to God's authority in your life.
3. Cultivate the disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. These spiritual practices strengthen our connection to God and help us resist temptation.
4. Invest in spiritual friendships. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you in your walk with God.
5. Limit bad influences. Be intentional about what you allow into your mind and life.
6. Practice good habits. Replace destructive behaviors with positive ones.
7. Welcome gracious correction. Be open to feedback from trusted friends and mentors.
Remember, self-control is not about perfection, but progress. It's about making wise choices and allowing God to transform our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time.
One of the most powerful insights we can glean is that our thoughts lead to our feelings, which in turn lead to our behaviors. If we want to change our actions, we need to start by addressing our thought patterns. This is why the Bible emphasizes the importance of renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).
It's also crucial to recognize that our struggles with self-control don't exist in a vacuum. They affect not only us but also those around us. For example, the widespread issue of pornography addiction in the church isn't just a personal problem – it's weakening the body of Christ as a whole.
As we strive to grow in self-control, let's remember the example of David. Even when faced with his enemy, he chose to show respect and humility. He didn't take a "power stance" or act superior, despite being in the right. This teaches us that true self-control is closely linked with humility and love for others.
In a world that often celebrates excess and instant gratification, choosing self-control can feel countercultural. But it's precisely this kind of "against the grain" living that sets followers of Christ apart. We're called to have a biblical worldview, one that may not align with popular culture but aligns with God's heart.
As we close, let's reflect on these questions:
- In what areas of your life do you struggle most with self-control?
- How might your life look different if you allowed the Holy Spirit to cultivate more self-control in you?
- What practical steps can you take this week to grow in this area?
Remember, the journey towards greater self-control is not one we walk alone. We have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, the support of our faith community around us, and the grace of God empowering us every step of the way. May we embrace this fruit of the Spirit, allowing it to transform our lives and impact our world for the better.
God Bless!
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So much good information in here for our lives. Self-control is really central to everything we are becoming in Christ. It's what we can do to yield ourselves to God's molding in our lives. This blog was written so well and it truly complements and expands the depth of the message on Sunday. ❤️ As the children of God we are held to a higher standard and that is a privilege and a responsibility.