Self-Control: Beyond Behavior
When we experience spiritual warfare in our lives, we are dealing with two kingdoms that are in opposition to one another. As Christians, we must learn to navigate this spiritual dichotomy. In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he explains this spiritual truth to the believers. It is important that, as believers today, we understand the battle is the same and affects our lives the same way. As disciples of Christ, we need discipline, and discipline is our responsibility.
Up to this point in his epistle, Paul has defended the gospel incredibly. The love and determination demonstrated by Paul to help encourage believers and correct the false teaching of the Judaizers is truly Spirit-led. As we get into chapter five, Paul gets to the application, and he writes, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Galatians 5:16-18) We are to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads and directs our lives. Understand, our flesh is an opposition to the things of God. To live a victorious life in Christ and crucify the flesh, we must live a life, or walk, in step with the Holy Spirit. He is the reason we can become self-disciplined and live these things out in reality.
Paul is explaining that we are not doing this on our own. We can not do this on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability. There is an aspect of fruit that is demonstrated, a fruit of the Spirit, by those who walk in discipline. This is called self-control. The fleshly, natural opposition to this is a life lived unrestrained. In an unrestrained life, we gratify the lust and desires of the flesh. We all did this at one time prior to knowing Christ, and that's how the world is today, in darkness. Discipline is applied in our lives in order that we may have self-control.
This is not about motivation. Motivation is a feeling, and like many feelings we experience, it wanes. Discipline means control is gained by implementing obedience or order. It is the training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. Discipline is our application. Discipline in step with the Spirit is biblical self-control. This is how we allow the fruit of the Spirit to manifest. A person can demonstrate discipline in many aspects of life, but if Christ is not the standard by which that discipline is grounded, there will be little or no fruit from it. It is misguided at best and will eventually falter.
You have to apply the truth of God's word. You have to reject the flesh. This means walking in humility, patience, and love. All these things bring about maturity. Christians have to be disciplined and guided by the Spirit to gain true, biblical self-control.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from the sermon series No Other Gospel; sermon title Be Disciplined)
Up to this point in his epistle, Paul has defended the gospel incredibly. The love and determination demonstrated by Paul to help encourage believers and correct the false teaching of the Judaizers is truly Spirit-led. As we get into chapter five, Paul gets to the application, and he writes, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Galatians 5:16-18) We are to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads and directs our lives. Understand, our flesh is an opposition to the things of God. To live a victorious life in Christ and crucify the flesh, we must live a life, or walk, in step with the Holy Spirit. He is the reason we can become self-disciplined and live these things out in reality.
Paul is explaining that we are not doing this on our own. We can not do this on our own, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability. There is an aspect of fruit that is demonstrated, a fruit of the Spirit, by those who walk in discipline. This is called self-control. The fleshly, natural opposition to this is a life lived unrestrained. In an unrestrained life, we gratify the lust and desires of the flesh. We all did this at one time prior to knowing Christ, and that's how the world is today, in darkness. Discipline is applied in our lives in order that we may have self-control.
This is not about motivation. Motivation is a feeling, and like many feelings we experience, it wanes. Discipline means control is gained by implementing obedience or order. It is the training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. Discipline is our application. Discipline in step with the Spirit is biblical self-control. This is how we allow the fruit of the Spirit to manifest. A person can demonstrate discipline in many aspects of life, but if Christ is not the standard by which that discipline is grounded, there will be little or no fruit from it. It is misguided at best and will eventually falter.
You have to apply the truth of God's word. You have to reject the flesh. This means walking in humility, patience, and love. All these things bring about maturity. Christians have to be disciplined and guided by the Spirit to gain true, biblical self-control.
In Christ,
Pastor John
(Adapted from the sermon series No Other Gospel; sermon title Be Disciplined)
Posted in Beyond Behavior
Posted in Self-Control, Paul, Apostle Paul, Holy Spirit, Motivation, Behavior, Christ, God, Truth, Scripture, Flesh, Mental
Posted in Self-Control, Paul, Apostle Paul, Holy Spirit, Motivation, Behavior, Christ, God, Truth, Scripture, Flesh, Mental