Self-Control

Galatians 5:13,16,22-24 - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love…So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Acts 24:25 - As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

Romans 8:3-4 - For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

Romans 13:14 - Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Conclusions:

• Hearing of righteousness, self-control and the judgment, Felix looked at his past life and was filled with fear
• Felix had a spark of sincerity and concern
• Lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition made it continually inconvenient to change
• Liberty is not license but freedom to serve God and each other in love
• Living by the Spirit should be habitual conduct
• Living by the promptings and power of the Spirit is the key to conquering sinful desires
• The law still plays a role in the life of a believer--not, however, as a means of salvation but as a moral and ethical guide, obeyed out of love for God and by the power that the Spirit provides
• The righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in us
• God's aim in sending His Son was that believers might be enabled to embody the true and full intentions of the law
• According to the Spirit is how the law's righteous requuirements can be fully met--by no longer letting the sinful nature hold sway but by yielding to the directing and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit

Application:

• Do lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition make it continually inconvenient for you to change?
• Do you serve others in love?
• Do you live by the promptings and power of the Spirit?
• Do you yield to the directing and empowering ministry of the Holy Spirit?
• Do you practice all the virtues associated with Christ?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible