Who EMPOWERS self-control? Me or God?

Mark Virkler's picture

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)


4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice
Free Video Event: Dec. 5-18, 2024
Register now: https://go.cluschoolofthespirit.com/hgv

CLU Course of the Month - 40% Tuition Discount
REN103/503 Communion with God
Learn more: https://www.cluonline.com/hear-gods-voice-2/
Order here: https://www.cluonline.com/christian-online-college-courses/#PRO527

25% off sitewide coupon CHRISTMAS25 (details here)


Fan the flames of revival by sharing this blog with your friends on social media! 


Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 61 - 70 of 484

Pages

Supernatural Church

Supernatural Church

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 62 Pages

This book is designed to be used in a 13-week new members' class of a church which is pursuing intimacy with the Holy Spirit. As people come to your church, they come with many different theological backgrounds and expectations as to what church ought to be like. It is crucial that you align these people's hearts and minds as they join the church, or they will end up pulling in many different directions and causing division.

Price: $9.95
Talking With Jesus - Front Cover

Talking with Jesus

by Evelyn Klumpenhouer

A full year of daily devotionals in which the Holy Spirit “opens up” Scripture!

These short, powerful devotionals for every day of the year are easy to read in less than two minutes. Each daily verse (with reference) is followed by God speaking directly to you concerning that verse. These inspiring messages provide an incredibly uplifting way to begin each day.

"Were not our hearts burning within us…while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Lk. 24:32).

Price: $14.95

The Faith Zone

by Steve Long and Mark Virkler

Click here for Kindle version.

IF ONLY I HAD A LITTLE MORE FAITH...

Have you ever thought that before? Most of us have thought it, or even heard it from others, at some point in our lives. But what exactly is faith anyway? And how do we get more of it? And if we did get more of it, could we actually move mountains into the sea?

Price: $15.99

The Utter Relief of Holiness

How God's Goodness Frees Us from Everything That Plagues Us - by John Eldredge

What a relief it would be to be set free from all that plagues us -- the inner struggle with anger, or contempt, the habitual sins. Is such an experience possible?

Price: $5.00
Through the Bible

Through the Bible

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 142 Pages

Listening to God through Scripture! Were not our hearts burning within us while He was...explaining the Scriptures to us (Lk. 24:32)?  This book will guide you in letting God reveal truth to you as you meditate on the stories and teaching of those who have gone before you. Your heart will be set afire by God!

Price: $19.95
Twenty Key Biblical Principles for Management

Twenty Key Biblical Principles for Management

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 111 Pages

Does the Bible contain principles which should be followed if you are managing a business, a church or a home? Do the most successful businesses, churches and homes follow these principles? The answer to both questions is, "Yes!" Do you know what these key principles are for successful management? If not, this book is for you. The book is designed with quick, easy evaluation worksheets provided for each of the 20 principles.

Price: $12.95
Wading Deeper Into the River of God

Wading Deeper Into the River of God

by Mark Virkler | 212 Pages

This book is the story of Mark’s personal journey toward revelation knowledge. With his trademark transparency and humor, you’ll identify with his challenges along the way and rejoice in his breakthroughs as he endeavors to continually wade deeper into the river of God.

Price: $16.95

When Heaven Touches Earth

by Greig, Virkler, Rogers, Goll, Fuller | 140 Pages

The central theme of this book is that average Christian believers can learn to exercise the eyes of their hearts and receive Spirit-led visions to worship in heaven, to receive the Lord's healing of their hearts, His authority, and His strategies to bring heaven down to earth (Matt. 6:10). Heavenly encounters initiated and led by Jesus with angels and those who have gone before us may sometimes be a part of these visionary experiences, as they were in Scripture.

Price: $14.95

Your Extraordinary Life! - case of 52

by Mark & Patti Virkler | 197 Pages | $14.99 Retail (Per Copy)

Purchase a case of 52 at ONLY $4.79 each - Distribute widely - Impact future generations of Christians

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $249.08

Counseled by God Complete Discounted Package

2 books, 13 sessions on 6 CDs and 6 DVDs, save 15%

Recently Released – 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training series in the world teaching you how to become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6)! This is your best value, putting all the tools in your hands you will need to ensure this message bears fruit in your life and equipping  you to share it with others.

Price: $115.00

Pages