We need Spirit to Control Self. To exercise self-control is to discipline ourselves, set boundaries, and rule over our actions. We protect our souls when we are self-controlled, because the devil gets an entrance through our minds before we act on a thought. We are three part beings. We are a spirit, we possess a soul and we live in a body. When the Spirit of God controls our spirit, then our spirit tells our soul and body what to do. When we are not spirit led, but flesh driven, then our soul is in control. Flesh is weak. Flesh wants to satisfy and gratify itself NOW! It does not care about Eternity. Spirit led people are Eternity minded people. They love God more than any momentary pleasures that can satisfy and bring self-gratification in the here and now.
In order for me to produce the Fruit of the Spirit, I must be rooted in the Spirit. Whatever, is in the root is in the fruit. If I am rooted only in Self. Then, I produce the fruit of Self. I will be selfish, self-reliant, self-righteous, self-confident, self-gratifying, etc. However, if I am rooted in Christ, then I will produce Christ-likeness, which will be the Fruit of the Spirit. It takes the Spirit of God to produce the Fruit of God through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to do His will. This is why Jesus could say, "Not my will, but Thy will be done." This is the Lord's will for us and this is why when He was asked by the disciples, "Teach us to pray...", He taught them what we call today, The Lords Prayer.
1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
John Piper writes that we are saying, “Lord Jesus, I want you more than this immediate need!” Through self-control, we take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ; we set our minds on things above; we flee from sin; and we do battle against it through prayer.
Pursue a greater, eternal good through self-control because Jesus is coming back!
Pursue a greater, eternal good through self-control because Jesus is coming back!
ACTION STEP: Pray to the Holy Spirit daily for grace. Grace is God's ability to do through you, what you can not do through yourself. We need grace to produce self-control. Christ in us, producing through us, is the only way to live a life of Self-Control. Self-control is actually our spirit under the control of His spirit, and this comes through loving God more than we love our self. I challenge you to put God on the Throne above all else. When He is number one, all the other people, things, desires, emotions, etc. line up and get in order. Praying for you today.
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