Broken Self-Discipline
Self-Control is a Byproduct – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26

Key Verse: Galatians 5:22-23

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

If you are a Christ follower that is struggling with self-control, maybe you’re focusing on self-control itself too much!  Today’s scripture would challenge us to back up a step.  Rather than focus on self-control, it would have us focus on God’s Spirit within us.  When God’s Spirit is within us, He—the third person of the Trinity—produces “fruit” through us.  Paul lists the fruit (or results) of God’s Spirit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  In our discussion this week on self-discipline, note the last fruit listed: self-control!

To give this fruit full blossom in our lives, our scripture gives two instructions to Christ followers.  First, crucify the sinful nature.  We must get before God and surrender all the passions and desires of our sinful nature.  We are not to blame our momma or anyone else; no justifying sin or living in denial.  Tell God that with His help you are done with that sinful nature.  With your sincere determination and God’s divine sanctifying work, we crucify our sinful nature.

Secondly, the scripture tells us to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).  That means carefully listening for and quickly obeying anything God’s Spirit may remind you of!  This will result in acting upon the Spirit’s resource of self-control.  Self-control is the byproduct of these two acts of obedience.

Father, I surrender my sinful nature to you for your entire sanctification work to cleanse me.  Today, I will stay in step with your Spirit in me!  In Jesus’ name, amen.