It is by Faith
("Holy Spirit dominion from within") ("Spirit-empowered self-control") results from Christ speaking His "rhēma-word" of faith in the heart of the believer – Remember, we talked about this faith/faithfulness a few weeks ago.
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17 NKJV)
This faith is persuading us of His will for our lives. This faith gives the power we need to do His will – from the inside out!
In summary, enkráteia ("Spirit-empowered self-control") is Spirit-directed and Spirit-empowered, fruit of the Holy Spirit. It results from personally knowing the risen Christ through the Word of God (the Bible) and prayer.
("Spirit-empowered self-control") only operates by knowing the Master! Jesus Christ empowers us to live out the faith He works in us, "through (His divine) love."
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (21) "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." (Galatians 2:20-21 NKJV)
Do not be confused by the "self-help" industry that sells billions of books to tell you that "you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Believe in yourself." We are told to read that "self-help" book and follow these steps. However, what is done in the flesh will not last. And sprinkling Bible verses over these man-made self-helps don't work either. We already have a "self-help" book – we call it "the Bible." We need to learn how to apply God's word to all of life.
The Christian life is not a set of rules to be followed to have success. Jesus clearly said,
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15 NKJV)
It does not say, "Keep My commandments, and I will love you." Because we love Jesus – we want to keep His commandments. So, Paul is showing us that as we are in this battle of the flesh – we come to the Cross, resting in the finished work of Christ. And daily, we remind ourselves – we are crucified with Christ.