Self ControlSelf Control

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free (Galatians 5:1)Christ has made us free (Galatians 5:1)

13 For you, brethren, have been called to 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; liberty; only do not only do not useuse liberty as an liberty as an opportunity for the fleshopportunity for the flesh, but through love , but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, fulfilled in one word, eveneven in this: in this: “You shall “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the SpiritWalk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the , and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.the things that you wish.

Exodus Exodus 15:315:3

The Lord is The Lord is a Warrior, a Warrior, the Lord is the Lord is His name!His name!

19 Now 19 Now the works of the flesh arethe works of the flesh are evident, evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told I also told youyou in time past, that in time past, that those who those who practice such things will not inherit the practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of Godkingdom of God. .

22 But 22 But the fruit of the Spirit isthe fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-controlself-control. . Against such there is no law. Against such there is no law.

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Self Self ControContro

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Joy, Peace, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Patience, Kindness,

Goodness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Faithfulness, GentlenessGentleness

Gloomy and uglyGloomy and ugly

Offers fresh nourishing Offers fresh nourishing waterwater

Bright / beautiful / aliveBright / beautiful / alive

Its water is nasty and not Its water is nasty and not fit for drinkingfit for drinking

Mostly fishMostly fishMostly alligators, snakes Mostly alligators, snakes and mosquitoesand mosquitoes

Forever moving / Can Forever moving / Can take you somewheretake you somewhere

Stale, stagnant at a Stale, stagnant at a standstillstandstill

When it rains (when it When it rains (when it pours) pours) goes deeper and goes deeper and strongerstronger

When it rains When it rains flood and flood anddisasterdisaster

Has boundaries / is guidedHas boundaries / is guidedand controlledand controlled

Does not! (main reason forDoes not! (main reason foraforementioned differences)aforementioned differences)

You will know them by their fruitYou will know them by their fruit (Matt (Matt 7:16)7:16)

““Practice makes perfect” and the fruit WILL Practice makes perfect” and the fruit WILL grow!grow!

““He who rules his spirit is better than he He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city” who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:23)(Proverbs 16:23)Need to have a plan / rules for self. (eat / sleep / Need to have a plan / rules for self. (eat / sleep /

talk … etc. talk … etc. I decide not my “self”I decide not my “self” i.e. my flesh!) i.e. my flesh!) "An idol mind is the devil's playground, and "An idol mind is the devil's playground, and

idle hands are his tools." idle hands are his tools." (Church Father)(Church Father)Avoid laziness / Avoid laziness / be a riverbe a river (tough times / busy (tough times / busy

times are actually very good for us)times are actually very good for us) ““Be sober, be vigilant; because your Be sober, be vigilant; because your

adversary the devil walks about like a adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” devour.” (1st Peter 5:8)(1st Peter 5:8)Remember that Remember that we’re in a state of war!we’re in a state of war!

It’s not always saying “no”, sometimes It’s not always saying “no”, sometimes it’s making my flesh do things it it’s making my flesh do things it doesn’t want to do. doesn’t want to do. Show self who’s boss!Show self who’s boss!VideoVideo

Glory be to God Forever, Glory be to God Forever, Amen.Amen.