Paul’s Tug of war:

Romans 7:15-17 I DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND MYSELF, FOR I WANT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, BUT I DON’T DO IT. Instead, I DO WHAT I HATE. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME THAT DOES IT.

The Fork in the Road:

Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

The Ugly Catalogue of the Flesh:

Galatians 5:19-21 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, (THE BAD WOLF) the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God.

The Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

What is Self- Control?

“Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgement that enables us to think, say, and do things that are pleasing to God.”

10-10-10

“Self-control is the spirit guided, word guided ability to avoid excesses and live with in Gods boundaries.”

Self-Control Questions:

• Where am I living in excess?
• Where am I living outside of God’s boundaries?

Prayer for Self-Control

Dear Lord, I confess to you that ______________ is out of control in my life. Please give me the power to avoid excess and live with in your boundaries in this area.