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March 11, 2007
"Self-Control In the Life of A Believer"
The World's Most Important Book—Part 7
Judges 13-16
"Samson was to be a man who was Surrendered to the will of the Almighty, Led by the Spirit of God, and Impassioned by the Spirit of Righteousness. He failed his calling, and, instead, was driven by Lust and Violence. As we Reflect on his life, we observe Samson's Fatal Flaws, and yet, we see the mercy and grace of God as Samson had the final victory."
We see that:
1. A lack of Self-Control leads to a Broken Life.
2. A lack of Self-Control leads to Broken Relationships.
"Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"
—
Romans 6:16 (NIV)
3. A lack of Self-Control Weakens Your Defense.
4. A lack of Self-Control leads to Death.
"Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when if is full-grown, gives birth to death."
—James 1:15 (NIV)
"For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. "
—Romans 7:5
Who are we to be?
We are to be a people who are Surrendered to the will of the Almighty, Led by the Spirit of God and Impassioned by the Spirit of Righteousness.
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
—Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
—Galatians 5:24-25 (NIV)
Challenge
Put God in His rightful place, at the center of your life, at the center of all you do and who you are. Give Him control.
Lifework
Read Romans 6:16.
- What type of sin can you become enslaved to? What are the wages of sin?
- What are the rewards of obedience?
Read James 1:15.
- How does desire give birth to sin?
Read Philippians 2:13.
- Where does the desire to serve God come from? Where do we find strength to obey him?
Read Galatians 5:24-25.
- What does it mean to "live by the Spirit?"
- How do we keep "in step" with the Spirit?