Who EMPOWERS self-control? Me or God?

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Submitted by Mark Virkler on December 12, 2024 - 12:31

The phrase self-control makes me think it is self, establishing control over self. But is it? I don’t think so. I believe self-control is requesting and responding to the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

What works and what doesn’t work

When I ask myself to control myself, a battle ensues which is often a stalemate rather than a victory. God has a better plan. He does away with my puny abilities (I have died) and replaces me with His power which is now available since His Spirit is joined to my spirit. (Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 6:17).

God then declares that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25).

Spirit empowerment is mentioned often

  1. It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)
  2. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (Col. 1:29)
  3. My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9)
  4. We worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. (Phil. 3:3)
  5. If by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Rom 8:13)
  6. Christ is formed in you. (Gal. 4:19)
  7. Pray that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:19)

Note 1: When the Spirit is dealing with self-control, you will find in your journaling that He is discussing with you the roots of the problem (desires and motivations), rather than the surface actions. This results in TRUE spiritual gains (Col. 2:20-23).

Note 2: Come into His presence. See Him with you. Then as you ask for His empowerment, and tune to flow, you sense His Spirit’s energy within changing you.

We access the power of the Spirit when we…

  1. Ask – See Jesus and Holy Spirit present and ask for help (as they are alongside, within, and upon you).
  2. Receive – Receive flowing: pictures, thoughts, and feelings (Jn. 7:37-39; Rev. 22:1,2; Jer. 2:13).
  3. Thank – Thanking Him demonstrates faith, which contributes to the release of divine energy.

God’s grace for every area of my life comes this same way (ask, receive, thank).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

  1. Love = God’s love, bubbling up by the Spirit
  2. Joy = God’s joy, bubbling up by the Spirit
  3. Peace = God’s peace, bubbling up by the Spirit
  4. Patience = God’s patience, bubbling up by the Spirit
  5. Kindness = God’s kindness, bubbling up by the Spirit
  6. Goodness = God’s goodness, bubbling up by the Spirit
  7. Faithfulness = God’s faith, bubbling up by the Spirit
  8. Gentleness = God’s gentleness, bubbling up by the Spirit
  9. Self-control = God’s self-control, bubbling up by the Spirit

The caution is never turn back to self-initiated behavior

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words (rhema's) that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (Jn. 6:63)

Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. (Heb. 6:1)

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Gal. 3:1-3)

Journaling Question

  • Lord, what would You like to speak to me concerning my approach to “self-control"?

Dig deeper - Journal about each of these

  • What can I learn about Soloman's self-control? (2 Chron. 1:8-12; 1 Kgs. 11:1-9)
  • Lord, are there protective walls You want me to build? (Prov. 25:28)
  • Lord, speak to me about how Daniel manifested self-control. (Dan. 1:8-18)

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Related Resources: 

How to Be Empowered by the Holy Spirit!   How to Hear God's Voice!   
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