Galatians 5:22 by Rev. Rusty Milton

Series:Galatians

"The Fruit of the Spirit--Self-Control"  

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV; Proverbs 25:28; Colossians 2:20-23; 1 Corinthians 9:23-25  

Self-control is not abstinence, as if only defined by what I determine to give up and avoid. Rather, it's the Spirit's ability to govern my heart, and my willingness to submit to that governance continually. How is your self-control during this time of uncertainty? 

Biblical self-control is not a product of gimmicks or a matter of personal will-power. It's the power of the Holy Spirit over the desires of the flesh, giving us new ability to govern our desires, and to live in that power. Self-control happens when we keep our desires under the control of Christ.

Whatever controls our heart controls our behavior. In Proverbs, one without self-control is depicted as a vulnerable city, with no defenses to keep out the enemy (25:28). Sin enters, cannot be kept out permanently, and grows into habitual sin that controls our lives. If the Spirit is not working self-control in our lives, our lives will be governed by whatever desire is the strongest. Self-control, grown and nurtured by the Spirit, is like the city's walls in Proverbs; it protects us from indwelling sin. 

Man's attempt at self-control is to work harder, create regulations, and by sheer will-power, create rules for dos and don'ts. This naturally leads to judgmental attitudes and man-centered religion. They have no real value at "stopping the indulgence of the flesh," however. This is because, while those spend time keeping out the Dos and Don'ts, the real roots of sin come right into the heart: lust, envy, pride, etc. In Christ, however, we have received everything we need to practice self-control. If we begin to follow the rules of the world for self-control, it leads us back into legalism and this man-centered philosophy.

Self-control is Gospel motivated. In 1 Corinthians 9:23-25, self-control is explained as flowing out of love for Christ because of everything he has done for us. As Christians, we not only submit all our desires, cravings, emotions, passions under the will of Christ, but also all the good things: work, relationships, leisure time, eating, exercise, etc.

How do we execute this in our daily lives? Ask the Lord to search our hearts and give us insight into where we have lost control. Then, we must be willing to repent, confess our sins, and be willing to submit those back under the control of Christ. Two things help us with this: the righteousness of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 25:28 English Standard Version (ESV)

28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

____________

COLOSSIANS 2:20-23 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)

20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

_____________

1 CORINTHIANS 9:23-25 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV)

23 I do it all for the sake