Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
The Greek word for self-control comes from a root word meaning :
_______________________________and________________________________.
* Having strong mastery over one's thoughts and actions.
Proverbs 25:28 ... Like a city that is broken into and without walls...Is a man who has no self-control...
Anything uncontrolled can harm your relationships : Like UNCONTROLLED . . .
{1} Anger - Prov. 29:11 {2} Lust - Prov. 6:26 {3} Spending - Prov. 21:20
{4} Drinking - Prov. 23:29-35 {5} Ambition - Prov. 23:4
What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are, and what we are will be the result of previous years of self discipline.
The "Starters" of Self Discipline . . .
1. Start with__________________________________________________________.
Looking back, my life seems to be one long obstacle course...with me as the chief obstacle. Jack Paar
All worthwhile men have good thought, good ideas, and good intentions, but very few of them ever translate
those into action. John Hancock Field
Your Competitor
An enemy I had, whose face I stoutly strove to know,
For hard he dogged my steps unseen, wherever I did go.
My plans he balked, my aims he foiled, He blocked my onward way.
When for some lofty goal I toiled, he grimly said to me, Nay.
One night I seized him and held him fast, From him the veil did draw,
I looked upon his face at last and lo ... myself I saw.
2. Start________________________________________________________________.
Self-discipline ... The first lesson that ought to be learned, but usually is the last.
3. Start________________________________________________________________.
What you are going to be tomorrow, you are becoming today. It is essential to begin developing
self-discipline in a small way today in order to be disciplined in a big way tomorrow.
4.
Start_________________________________________________________________.
Christopher Robin, in Winnie the Pooh, defines organization -
Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it's not all mixed up.
Strategy for Self-Discipline :
* List your 3 weakest areas. * Which one hurts you the most? * Work on that area daily.
* Have someone hold you accountable. * Chart your progress.
Some Characteristics of Self-Disciplined People :
1. They accept______________________________________________.
Responsibility requirements :
a. Be responsible for your_________________________________. 2 Cor. 10:5
b. Be responsible for your_________________________________. James 3:1-9; 4:1,2
c. Be responsible for your_________________________________. Eph. 5:22-33; 6:4
2. They welcome_________________________________________________________.
The unexamined life is not worth living. Plato
3. They develop__________________________________________________________.
Integrity must be demonstrated in a number of tangible ways. Such as :
a. I will live what I teach.
b. I will do what I say.
c. I will be honest with others.
d. I will put what is best for others ahead of what is best for me.
When we do this...we develop friendships and loyalty.
e. I will be transparent and vulnerable. { wisdom is crucial ! do not throw pearl before pigs.}
CHARACTER
I would be true, for there are those who trust me ; I would be pure, for there are those who care ;
I would be strong, for there are those who suffer ; I would be brave, for there is much to dare ;
I would be a friend of all - the foe, the friendless ; I would be giving, and forget the gift ;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness ; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift. Howard A. Walter
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal.
I choose self control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by faith. I will be influenced only by GOD.
I will be taught only by CHRIST. I choose self-control. Max Lucado
I Surrender All
All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever Love and trust Him, In his presence daily live.
All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken, Take me Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine; May Thy Holy Spirit fill me, May I know Thy pow'r divine.
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all. All to Thee, My blessed Saviour, I surrender all.
