What we have learned so far...
We come to our 9th and final of the Fruit of the Spirit which is self-control.
We acknowledged this past Sunday that when you live according to your sinful nature you are out of control. Yes, you still have a sinful nature with which you must struggle. (When a person becomes a believer his sinful nature is forgiven but not eradicated).
So what is the sinful nature? It is the rebellious tendency you received from your parents. But you can't blame them because they got it from their parents, who got it from their parents. And so forth all the way back to Adam and Eve. Frankly, your kids got it from you. That's why you never have to teach a kid to do wrong. They learn that on their own. The sinful nature is that predisposition in our nature to do something wrong.
This sinful nature with which we struggle is what the Apostle Paul is speaking of with these words: "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want." (Galatians 5:17).
So what is the secret to gaining victory over the sinful tendency? The answer is offered by Paul: "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature" (Galatians 5:16). This means you must rely on the Holy Spirit living in you to strengthen you and deliver you from the tendency to sin in your walk as a follower of Christ.
Where do you begin? Paul literally says, "If you are (willingly) led by the Spirit..." (Galatians 5:18). This is an act of the will. The life of being Spirit-filled begins with an act of the will. But then it is a walk of faith. The Spirit-filled life is not lived by will-power. But you commence the walk with an act of the will. You must choose (surrender) to be willingly led. And we would be wise to renew this daily. Starting today and each day begin your day by praying something like this: "I surrender today Lord to you and rely on you to give me the strength to walk with you." (Remember-the power is not in any particular words but in the decisive act to trust in the Lord daily for strength.)
When we live under the Spirit's control then we naturally experience self-control. This is the power of God in the life of a believer. This is the fulfilling life which results in the Fruit of the Spirit.
May God bless us with an abundant harvest of Fruit to His glory!
Blessings,