Jesus demonstrated SELF-CONTROL in those last hours of His life on earth – Jesus never retaliated during His passion and was silent as a Lamb going to the slaughter there on the Cross. (Isaiah 53)
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, (12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (14) who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14 NKJV)
This self-control is not you being in control of yourself. When you are walking in the Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, you will have a life empowered by the Holy Spirit that reflects Jesus.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:14 NKJV)
The personal illustration of my bondage to gaming on the computer, the Lord has freed me from that bondage. I had been studying the power of the Gospel here at Setting Captives Free. I was editing and reviewing some new lessons that would be offered with SCF 2.0. As I reviewed the course called: "Media Addiction," – I saw how bad my bondage to gaming was in my life. By a step of faith, I asked the Lord's forgiveness for all the wasted time over the years. I deleted all the games off my computer, my tablet, my phone. I even deleted the solitaire games. There were no more games – I experienced great relief, and a burden was lifted. I was free. This deleting my games was a Spirit-empowered self-controlled step of faith for me.
Now, I found I have an abundance of time to study God's word. I am involved in mentoring men through Setting Captives Free in the areas of life-dominating sins like pornography, gluttony, media addiction, depression, and helping men who desire to become mentors as they found real freedom from sin's bondage.
Am I still tempted to play games? Yes, but I quickly say, "No, thanks – I'm too busy with the Lord. Bye." This type of "self-control" only comes from the Spirit working in me.
10. Are there things that need to be "deleted" in your life? What changes can you take that a "Spirit-empowered self-control can only do?"
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We are finished looking at the fruit of the Spirit. The next few lessons will focus on Walking in the Spirit vs. fulfilling the lust of the flesh. Then look at what it means to put on the Lord Jesus and abide in Him.
The video is of the Sunday School lesson that was taught: Lesson 10 – Self-control