Self-control: restraint or discipline of self.

• “Holding the passions and desires in hand.” – Vincent

Acts 24:25

Galatians 5:23, 25-26 – Self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit.

Matthew 4:3-7

I John 2:15-16

Self-control is more than abstinence.

• It is moderation in things that are right.
  • Sleeping, eating, recreation, time with family, and many other things must all be enjoyed in moderation.
• It is abstinence in things that are wrong.
  • I Corinthians 6:9-10 – Self-control means complete abstinence from sin.
• It is strict obedience in things that are commanded.
  • John 8:24; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 22:16; I John 4:20; 5:1; I Corinthians 15:58; I John 1:7; Philippians 3:14

Self-control

• It is necessary for any worthwhile accomplishment.

  • I Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 5:17

  • I Corinthians 10:13

• Lack of self-control will cause many to be lost.

• Proverbs 15:2

• Is that great quality that enables to walk IN the world and yet keep self unspotted FROM the world.

  • John 17:15; James 1:27

• A Christian will give diligence to exercise self-control.

Introduction

• Philippians 2:14-16

• Christians try to live differently than others in the world.

• Some people will not like the way we live.

My righteousness judges others.

• Hebrews 11:7 – Noah condemned the world by living righteously and building the ark.

• Matthew 12:41-42 – The Ninevites repented, thus they would condemn others at the judgment.

• Romans 12:20 – Doing good to those who wrong you convicts and embarrasses them.

• No one should approve of sin just to keep from embarrassing others.

If people are determined to sin, you can’t stop them.

• Romans 1:21-32

• Romans 6:1

• We have all sinned, but we strive not to.

I cannot participate in or approve of sin.

• Romans 1:32 – Committing and approving sin are both wrong.

• Romans 6:23

• Proverbs 8:13

• Romans 12:2, 9 – We must train ourselves to abhor evil.

• II Corinthians 6:14

Interact with others like Jesus did.

• John 8:3-11 – The Jews presented Jesus with a rigged setup. The witnesses all left, so there was no one to condemn the woman. Jesus was not being soft on sin – he was applying the Law of Moses correctly. He used their own guilt to defuse the situation. No witnesses, thus no conviction and no execution.

Circular reasoning (begging the question), continued:

• Spiritual importance, continued:

  • Matthew 26:63-66 – The Pharisees assumed Jesus was not the Son of God, therefore when He claimed to be deity, they assumed He was blaspheming.

  • Evolutionists often use the similarity of DNA in different life forms as proof that those life forms came from a single ancestor.

  • Circular reasoning is used to date rock layers and fossils. The evolutionary timeline is assumed to be true, dates are assigned to fossils, and thus to rocks in which those fossils are found.

The question-begging epithet (biased words)

• What is it?

  • “… the arguer uses biased (often emotional) language to persuade people rather than using logic.”

  • Example: “That is the dumbest argument I’ve ever heard.”

• Spiritual importance

  • “Let’s open up our Bibles and discover whether or not this ridiculous doctrine is true.”

    • Maybe it is true that the doctrine is ridiculous but starting like this we prevent an objective assessment of the facts.

  • Examples regarding creation and evolution:

    • “Our department is becoming infested with creationists.”

    • “Creationists believe that the universe is young, but the best scientists tell us that it is billions of years old.”

  • Serene Jones: “Crucifixion is not something that God is orchestrating from upstairs. The pervasive idea of an abusive God-father who sends His own kid to the cross so God could forgive people is nuts.”

• Four things Paul prays for:

  • A love that abounds more and more

    • Knowledge: Romans 10:1; II Peter 1:5; 3:18

    • Discernment: Hebrews 5:14; I Kings 3:9

  • Being able to approve the things that are excellent

    • I Thessalonians 5:21; Romans 12:9

    • We need to test all things to see if they are worthy of our approval. This does not mean trying everything ourselves. We should learn from others.

    • We may sometimes have to decide between two good things.

  • Being sincere and blameless

  • Being filled with the fruit of righteousness

    • Galatians 5:22; I John 3:7; John 15:8; Hebrews 12:11

    • John 15:5 – There are consequences of not bearing fruit. II Peter 1:5-8

Titus 2:14

Introduction

• If we are to be zealous for good deeds, we must take the initiative.

Two people who took the initiative:

• David (I Samuel 17)

  • I Samuel 17:32, 37, 47-53 – David took initiative to go out to Goliath.

• Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1-6)

  • Nehemiah 1:1-4 – Nehemiah fasts and prays.

  • Nehemiah 2:5, 15-18 – Nehemiah prepares to work.

  • Nehemiah 4:4-6, 14, 17 – Nehemiah lead the people to work.

  • Nehemiah 6:15 – The wall is completed in 52 days.

How to take the initiative:

• We need to care.

  • Romans 5:8 – God took the initiative in sending Jesus!

  • Acts 17:15-17 – Paul cared for the people enough to begin talking to them.

  • Elie Wiesel (1928-2016) – “Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.”

• It helps to get others involved.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Companionship helps!

• We must find the need and act!

  • Luke 10:27-37 – The parable of the good Samaritan. We should be looking for ways to be a neighbor to others!

  • Why not me?