Thank you for all your comments about this Bible study page. We appreciate kindly follow us on face book discussion after the last paragraph. God bless you all as we learn about kindness this week.

Lesson 9: The Fruit of the Spirit is Self-Control (1 Corinthians 9 & 10, Colossians 3, Romans 5)

For just a moment contemplate Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control." Isn't this a logical contradiction? The "Spirit" is the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit. If God is giving me control, how can it be called "SELF-control?" Does the Spirit give me big muscles and then send me off to control myself? Clearly, the people who argue that my works are important are on to something here. What, I'm not sure. As always, let's dive into our study of the Bible and try to figure out what this self-control stuff all about!

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 . What is the crown "that will last forever?" (Paul is taking about going to Heaven. He is talking about eternal life.) Is going to Heaven really like the Boston Marathon race - you have one winner? Or, one winner in each class? (No. Otherwise, Moses crossed the finish line before we were born!) If Paul's analogy is not perfect, what is his point? (At a minimum, Paul is teaching us that we need to take seriously our training on the road to heaven.)

Read 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 . Paul gives us two more analogies: running like you are clueless about the location of the finish line; and, a boxing contest in which you don't realize you are supposed to hit the other guy. Does strength have anything to do with either of these problems? (No you can be the fastest runner and the hardest hitter and still have these problems.)

If you believe in righteousness by faith, are you getting a little nervous about the idea that we can beat our brains into submission? If you are not, I am! Read Romans 5:1-5. Where, in this sequence, do we find beating our brains into submission? (We are justified by faith in Jesus, but the life of the Christian is a progression towards righteousness.)

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 . What does this suggest about your role and God's role when it comes to temptation and self-control in your life? God places a cap on the temptation so that successful resistance is possible. God provides a way out of the temptation. My role is to resist temptation to the extent of my ability. To look for the door God provides as a way out of the temptation.)

What does this teach us about the nature of self-control? (There is a SELF in "self-control." Being saved by grace is just the beginning of the walk with God. We are not entitled to lay down and rest thereafter, instead we are involved in a team effort with God to live a life reflecting His goals. Failing to engage in that effort may mean we lose the prize ( 1 Corinthians 9:27 ).)

Read Colossians 3:1-3 . What suggestion does this give us for resisting temptation? What goal are we given? (To set our hearts on the things that God desires. To explore what God has in mind.)Read 1 Corinthians 10:14 . Remember that our first goal (1 Corinthians 10:7 ) was to put God first. What additional advice does Paul give for achieving that goal? (Run away from idolatry!)Read 1 Corinthians 10:15-17 . What does the "loaf" have to do with running away from idolatry? Do we need carbohydrates to run? (Paul points to the symbols of salvation by faith, and in essence says "Idolatry gets in the way of relying on Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf!")

Read 1 Corinthians 10:18-22 . How are grace and works described in these verses? (Paul is arguing the very close connection between grace and works. If your works are "sacrifices" to Satan, how can you claim to be accepting grace? Our works should line up, to the best of our abilities, with the "table" at which we eat. If we eat at the Lord's table (an analogy to Communion and thus grace), we need to have goals and training (self control) that is consistent with eating at that table.)

Friend, Paul is the strongest advocate in the Bible of salvation by faith alone, but we can see in these texts that the Christian life is a team effort in which righteous goals need to be set and maximum effort applied to meet those goals. God will not let our sin problems get out of hand, but we are called to a life of self-control. Will you commit to getting off your spiritual coach and start training for right living?

Next week: The Fruit of the Spirit is Righteousness.

Last week's lession 1 - on LOVE

Last week's lession 2 - on JOY

Last week's lession 3 - on PEACE

Last week's lession 4 - on PATIENCE

Last week's lession 5 - on KINDNESS

Last week's lession 6 - on GOODNESS

Last week's lession 7 - on FAITHFULNESS

Last week's lession 8 - on MEEKNESS

Log in to Facebook to post your comment