I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:16-26
Post-modernity to post-truth
Freud’s Personality Theory: the Id, the Ego, and the Superego
Hyper-individualism
Self-control is a paradox for the Christ follower because although we have autonomy, the trajectory of our lives is towards relinquishing that autonomy to God and submitting to His ways.
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
Galatians 5:16-17
The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable — who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
The flesh looks out for self, while the Spirit looks out for others.
Then two criminals were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. Those who passed by were yelling insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” In the same way the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him and said, “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! He is the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God rescue him now — if he takes pleasure in him! For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way even the criminals who were crucified with him taunted him.
Matthew 27:38-44
What are some areas of your life that you succeed in having self-control? What are some areas of your life that you may struggle with self-control?
In your group, discuss the current state of how society may understand, “the self”. What are some defining characteristics/traits of how society understands “the self”? Are these characteristics/traits Biblical with how we should view ourselves? How do they correlate with self-control?
Self-control for the follower of Jesus looks like relinquishing control. What are some areas of your life you can let go of this control and trust that God’s plans are better? Do you have a difficult time letting go of control? Why or why not?
“The flesh looks out for the self, while the Spirit looks out for others.” How can you practice looking out for others in your own life? Who are some people you can practice looking out for during the next week and month?
