The virtue of self-control, or discipline, is critical to the Christian seeking to live a Godly life. But we cannot rid ourselves of uncontrolled behaviors alone - we need God's help.

2. Scripture Reading:
Galatians 5:19-25

3. Galatians 5:19-25
19 Now the works of the flesh
are evident, which are:
adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness,

4. Galatians 5:19-25
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred,
contentions, jealousies,
outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions,
heresies,

5. Galatians 5:19-25
21 envy, murders,
drunkenness, revelries, and
the like; of which I tell you
beforehand, just as I also told
you in time past, that those
who practice such things will
not inherit the kingdom of
God.

6. Galatians 5:19-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness,
self-control. Against such
there is no law.

7. Galatians 5:19-25
24 And those who are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh with
its passions and desires. 25 If
we live in the Spirit, let us also
walk in the Spirit.

10. Discipline of
the Believer

11. Discipline of the Believer
 Without it, we have broken
down walls

12. Proverbs 25:28
Whoever has no rule over
his own spirit is like a city
broken down, without walls.

13. Nehemiah 1:1-3
1 It came to pass in the month
of Chislev, in the twentieth
year, as I was in Shushan the
citadel,

14. Nehemiah 1:1-3
2 that Hanani one of my
brethren came with men from
Judah; and I asked them
concerning the Jews who had
escaped, who had survived
the captivity, and concerning
Jerusalem.

15. Nehemiah 1:1-3
3 And they said to me, “The
survivors who are left from
the captivity in the province
are there in great distress and
reproach. The wall of
Jerusalem is also broken
down, and its gates are
burned with fire.”

16. Discipline of the Believer
 Without it, we have broken
down walls
 We can’t “do it on our own”

17. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good
reward for their labor. 10 For if
they fall, one will lift up his
companion. But woe to him
who is alone when he falls, for
he has no one to help him up.

18. Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God that
brings salvation has appeared
to all men, 12 teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and
worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age,

19. Titus 2:11-14
13 looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing
of our great God and Savior
Jesus Christ,

20. Titus 2:11-14
14 who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from
every lawless deed and purify
for Himself His own special
people, zealous for good
works.

21. Galatians 5:16
I say then: Walk in the Spirit,
and you shall not fulfill the
lust of the flesh.

22. Discipline of the Believer
 Without it, we have broken
down walls
 We can’t “do it on our own”
 Take a “self-control
inventory”

23. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled lust –
Proverbs 6:26 - For by means
of a harlot a man is reduced
to a crust of bread; and an
adulteress will prey upon his
precious life.

24. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled spending –
Proverbs 21:20 - There is
desirable treasure, and oil in
the dwelling of the wise, but
a foolish man squanders it.

25. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled ambition –
Proverbs 23:4 - Do not
overwork to be rich; because
of your own understanding,
cease!

26. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled drinking –
Proverbs 23:29,30 - 29 Who has
woe? Who has sorrow? Who has
contentions? Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes? 30 Those
who linger long at the wine, those
who go in search of mixed wine.

27. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled anger –
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool vents
all his feelings, but a wise
man holds them back.

28. Self-Control Inventory
 Uncontrolled lust
 Uncontrolled spending
 Uncontrolled ambition
 Uncontrolled drinking
 Uncontrolled anger

29. Discipline of the Believer
 Without it, we have broken
down walls
 We can’t “do it on our own”
 Take a “self-control
inventory”

30. “Our ordinary method of dealing with
ingrained sin is to launch a frontal
attack. We rely on our willpower and
determination. Whatever may be the
issue for us – anger, fear, bitterness,
gluttony, pride, lust, substance abuse –
we determine never to do it again; we
pray against it, fight against it, and set
our will against it. But the struggle is
all in vain, and we find ourselves once
again morally bankrupt.”
~ Richard Foster, author
“Celebration of Discipline”