Overcomer - Self-control Wins!

Galatians 5:13-26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This passage contains our memory verse for this week: verses 22 & 23a.  Notice that this comes to us as some practical advice on how to overcome various temptations that attack ‘the flesh.’  Our bodies have appetites that scream to be fulfilled.  Eating and drinking are necessary to support life.  But if we are not self-controlled they will bring death.  Obviously we are taught to chose life!

Reflect

Questions

Read this passage slowly thinking about ways in which gluttony can be expressed through more than just food.  What appetites can lead us to gluttony?

Compare the list of evil acts in vs. 19-21 to the list of fruit in vs 22-23.  Can you see how the second list could counteract the first?

Prayer

Father as I begin a new week focusing on self-control I recognize that this is a fruit that grows out of my relationship with you.  May I do my part to open up to your Spirit as I trust you to do your part to change my heart.  Please grow your fruit in the soil of my soul. Amen

Memory Verse

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

Share

Gather some family and friends together and read this passage. Then discuss this question:   How could we be more self-controlled? Name one or two specific ways. Pray for each other.

DFM Nation

Next Sunday we are celebrating the 135th Anniversary of Davison Free Methodist Church.  You are invited to join the party and bring a friend.