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Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church 

Type of service: Bible study

Date: April 21, 2020 

Teacher: Minister Milton

Topic: Fruit of the Spirit

Lesson 10: Temperance: Mastering Yourself

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:  against such there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”  Proverbs 25:28

I.   Definition of Temperance

We obtain a the definition from the usage in Galatians 5:23

  1. The Greek word, egkrateia (eng-krat’-i-ah) is used and is defined as “self-control.”
  2. Further study of the word means not only self-control, but to be strong, or masterful in self-control.

The word “temperance” as used by Paul and Peter was understood by the Greeks of that day to mean holding the passions and desires in control.

  1. The word was used of the purity of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites, or any appetite that appeals to the flesh.
  2. Sensual appetites include (but are not limited to) sexual desires.

Self-control consists of the right use of the will.

  1. In the case of the Christian it means the right use of the will under the controlling power of the Holy Ghost.
  2. Aristotle once said, “Count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies for the hardest victory is the victory over self.”

Once again, remember that each aspect of the gift of the Spirit builds upon the previous.

  1. In the case of temperance, it is obvious that it cannot be exercised properly without the previous aspects being at work in our lives.

Self-control is a battle of the flesh and the Spirit.

  1. Since we are referring to the fruit of the Spirit, we must realize that no one can exercise proper self-control without the help of the Spirit.
  2. Paul best illustrates this battle for self-control in Romans chapter 7.
    1. Romans 7:15, “I don’t understand my self at all, for I really want to do what is right, and I can’t.  I do what I don’t want to – what I hate.” (TLB)
    2. Romans 7:16, “I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking.” (TLB)
    3. Romans 7:17, “But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it.  It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.”  (TLB)
    4. Romans 7:19, “When I want to do good, I don’t; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.”  (TLB)
  3. He realizes that he is in a struggle for the self-discipline to do those things that are right.
  4. He further realizes that on his own there is no way of escape.
    1. Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am!  Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
  5. He then states that there is an answer.
    1. Romans 7:25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (KJV)
    2. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (KJV)
  6. Without the help of the Spirit, we will utterly fail at self-discipline.
    1. And with that failure comes frustration and condemnation.
    2. But to those that yield their control over to the Spirit, there is a release from that same frustration and condemnation.

II.   A Lack of Self-Control

In I Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul makes it clear that failure to bring “my body” (v. 27), i.e. “myself into subjection,” is to risk being “unapproved and rejected” (as a counterfeit).  I Corinthians 10:1-12, informs us that Paul uses ancient Israel as an example of the lack of self-control.

They are guilty of a lack of self-control in four areas:

  1. Idolatry
    1. Exodus 20:4-5, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” (KJV)
    2. What are some things we “idolize” in our lives, or just “can’t do without”?
    3. What are the things that have a higher priority than developing our walk with God?
  2. Fornication
    1. James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (KJV)
      1. This is saying that friendship with the world amounts to spiritual fornication.
      2. Although we are in the world, we are not of the world.
      3. Self-control will enable us to live in this world without being conformed to it.
  3. Tempting God
    1. An example of Israel tempting God is found in Numbers 21:5, “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.” (KJV)
    2. They spoke against rightful authority.
    3. Paul lists “seditions” in Galatians 5:19-21, as one of the works of the flesh.
    4. Sedition is defined as “incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.”
    5. True self-control will create in us a respect for authority.
  4. Murmuring
    1. To murmur means to grumble.
    2. The Israelites grumbled about their leaders and their situation in life.
    3. Grumbling and complaining are never approved of in scripture and in no way represent self-control.

The lack of self-control has kept many counsellors extremely busy. 

  1. Lack of self-control is at the root of any number of mental, emotional and spiritual ills.
  2. Consider some of the ways in which we refer to our own lack of control.
    1. I eat too much.I drink too much.
    2. I’m never on time.
    3. I never finish anything.
    4. I don’t pray and fast enough.
    5. I’m addicted to pornography, television/the Internet, or drugs.
    6. I can’t forgive.
  3. At the root of all of these is the same problem – a lack of self-control.

Areas Where people lack self-control:

  1. Sensual desires.
    1. Proverbs 6:26, “For a prostitute will bring a man to poverty, and an adulteress may cost him his very life.” (TLB)
    2. James 1:15, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (KJV)
  2. Finances
    1. Proverbs 21:20  “There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”  (KJV)
    2. Luke 12:16-21, “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying:  What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do:  I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee:  then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”  (KJV)
  3. Ambitions
    1. Proverbs 23:4, “Labour not to be rich:  cease from thine own wisdom.” (KJV)
    2. Matthew 19:21-22, “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.”
    3. 1 Timothy 6:6-11, But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all  evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
  4. Anger
    1. Proverbs 29:11, A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
    2. Proverbs 25:28, Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

III   The Self-Controlled Life

I Corinthians 9:24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.  Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we, an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

  1. From this passage, we get a fuller meaning of self-control.
  2. Here, Paul contrasts exercising control over his body with running aimlessly in verse 26.
    1. He believes that athletes exercise self-control because they have a clearly defined purpose or goal in their life.
    2. They cannot afford to be distracted by every passion or desire that comes along.
  3. Four aspects of the self-controlled life:
    1. A self-controlled life begins in the mind.
    2. We can’t hope to exercise self-control in our lives if we cannot discipline the mind.  Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”II Corinthians 10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
  4. A self-controlled life has positive goals.  (I Cor. 9:24).
    1. Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize.
    2. You also must run in such a way that you will win.
    3. The goal is to win the prize; the motivation for the self-discipline is that there is a prize to be won.
    4. Many people never exercise self-control in their lives because they have no Godly goals.
    5. Without Godly goals, there is no motivation to discipline ourselves.
  5. A self-controlled life involves discipline (9:25)
    1. True athletes practice strict self-control.
    2. Once he is made aware of the prize he begins rigorous training to ensure that he will be in shape for the race.
    3. Discipline is required for the training to be effective.
    4. Without discipline, training will not take place and the prize will never be won.
  6. A self-controlled life demands focus (9:25b-26)
    1. The runner that Paul is referring to is running to win a prize that will one day fade away.
    2. He reminds us that we are running for an eternal prize.
    3. If we do not stay focused, we will lose our way.
    4. Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish:” (KJV)
      1. It literally means that if there is no dream, then people disappear.
      2. If we lose our focus on the things of God, then we lose our ability to stay in the fight.
  7. A self-controlled life involves sacrifice (9:27A).
  8. A self-controlled life will ensure that we are not disqualified and rejected (9:27B).

IV   Developing Self-Control

  1. Self-Control begins by total submission to God.
  2. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (KJV)
  3. From this passage we see that self-control is necessary to living for God.
  4. When the writer said, “…that ye present your bodies…”, he was inferring several things:
    1. God will not make us submit to Him and serve Him.
    2. We must willingly present ourselves to Him.
    3. Without self-discipline, we will not present ourselves to Him.
    4. Presenting ourselves to God is our reasonable service.
    5. Notice this submission is a submission of body, soul and spirit.
  5. Self-control is developed by setting spiritual goals.
    1. Colossians 3:2, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (KJV)
    2. Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (KJV)
    3. Philippians 4:5, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
  6. Self-control is developed by being faithful everyday.
    1. Each day should be under-girded with prayer.
    2. Read the Word daily.
    3. Take time every day for praise and worship.
  7. Self-control is developed when we pray for the strength to be temperate. 
    1. Romans 6:13, “neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” (KJV)
    2. I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” (KJV)

V   Conclusion

  1. Temperance, or self-control, cannot be accomplished without the help of the Spirit.
  2. It is a daily battle between the flesh and the spirit
  3. God not only desires us to have self-control, but to be masterful in our self-control.
  4. Without self-control, the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit lose their value.
  5. With the help of God and persistent discipline, we can maintain self-control.

Closing Illustration

The story is told about a stunt pilot who was selling rides in his single engine airplane.  One day he got into an argument with a man who insisted on taking his wife along at no extra charge.  Not wanting to miss out on a chance to make some cash, the pilot said, “I’ll take you both up for the price of one if you promise not to utter a sound during the entire flight.  If you make any noise, the price is doubled.”  The deal was made and they climbed aboard the plane.  The pilot quickly proceeded to put the plane through all sorts of stunts and manoeuvres designed to make the bravest person tremble.  But the passengers didn’t make a sound.  Exhausted, the pilot finally landed.  As the man climbed out, the pilot said, “I made moves up there that frightened even me and yet you never said a word.  You must have incredible self-control.”  The man thanked the pilot and then said, “I must admit that there was one time when you almost had me.”  “When was that?” asked the pilot.  To which the man replied, “When my wife fell out of the plane!”

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