Self-Control Is The Mark Of Obedience

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The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT

Podcast Episode: The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT – SELF-CONTROL #6

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against these things.” [Galatians 5:22-23 NLT]

Daniel in Nebuchadnezzar’s Court

In Daniel 1:6-17 NLT says, “6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. 8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.” 11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. 17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.”

In Daniel Chapter 1 Verses 6-7 describe children of Judah – the most noble tribe of Israel (Daniel 1:3).

Gave Names – The Babylonians gave their captives new names to emphasize their new relationship with Babylon and to cut ties with their former religion and country (Genesis 41:45). Daniel – This name means “God is my judge”; it was changed to Belteshazzar, which probably means “Bel’s prince,” or arguably “Nebo protect his life!” (Archer). Reflective of Daniel, his Hebrew name, God’s judgment on the heathen world powers would be revealed through Daniel’s prophecies. Hananiah – This name means “Yahweh has been gracious”; it was changed to Shadrach, which probably means “the command of [the god] Aku.” It carries the idea of being inspired or illumined by Aku, the sun god. Mishael = This name means “Who is like God?”; it was changed to Meshach, which could mean “Who is like Aku?” Azariah – This name means “Yahweh has helped”; it was changed to Abednego, meaning “servant of Nebo [the fire god],” or perhaps “servant of the shining fire.” These servants of God were thus dedicated to the leading gods of Babylon: the chief god (Bel), the sun god (Aku), and the fire god (Nebo). The three youths were thrown to the fire god when they refused to worship the golden image (Daniel 3). These names thus illustrate the seeming triumph, but sure downfall, of the heathen powers.

In Verse 8 describes Daniel . . . would not defile himself with . . . king’s meat – Daniel refused the king’s food so as not to participate in the perversion of the court. It was customary in the court to throw a small portion of the food and wine on the ground as an offering to the gods (Deuteronomy 32:38). In eating this food Daniel and his three friends would technically violate the law against eating unclean meat (in the NT, this law was done away with: 1 Corinthians 8:7, 10; 10:27, 28) and thus signify their rejection of God (Ezekiel 4:13; Hosea 9:3). Daniel and his friends chose to abstain rather than identify themselves with the evil practices of the Babylonian Empire. In refusing the king’s favors, they were proclaiming allegiance to a higher King than Babylon’s. Their supervisor probably feared this would be construed as defiance against Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:10).

In Verse 9 describes God . . . brought Daniel into favour – God actively intervened on behalf of Daniel and his companions; God had promised this to His covenant people (1 Kings 8:50, 51; Psalm 106:45-47; Proverbs 16:7).

In Verse 10 describes ye make me endanger my head – The superintendent could have been killed for disobeying the king’s order to feed the captives from his special food. Nebuchadnezzar may have interpreted Daniel’s actions as treasonable defiance, and charged the captives’ supervisor with complicity to it.

In Verse 11 describes Melzar – rather, “overseer” (NASB) or “guard” (RSV, NIV, NEB), i.e., a steward, who had been appointed to furnish the captives with their daily food.

In Verse 12 describes Prove thy servants – i.e., “test your servants” (NIV, RSV, NASB). pulse – or “vegetables” (NIV, NASB, RSB, NEB).

In Verses 13-15 describe the results of this ten-day experiment vindicated Daniel’s confidence that their health would not suffer (Deuteronomy 8:3). The actions of Daniel and his friends proved their faith, and would strengthen them for even greater trials to come (Daniel 2:5; 3:19-23; 6:16, 17).

In Verse 17 describes God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom – God gave all of them knowledge and wisdom (Exodus 31:2, 3; 1 Kings 3:12; Job 32:8; James 1:5, 17), but Daniel was given the special gift of understanding dreams. This gift was the pride of Chaldean sages, but Daniel outshined them all.

Discipline is a synonym for self-control.

All For The Glory of God

In 1 Corinthians 10:28-31 NLT says, “28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.

In Verses 28-31 describe that the situation could arise that several believers are eating a meal at the home of an unbeliever. One of these believers (the someone referred to here, who was a “weaker” believer, see 1 Corinthians 8:10) warns his fellow believers that the meat they had been served had been offered to an idol. At that point, then, the stronger believers, although they know that this really makes no difference, should refrain from eating the meat out of consideration for the conscience of that weaker believer because of the clear association with temple worship. (This weaker believer feels that in eating that meat, the Christians would be sanctioning idol worship.) This is the same advice Paul gave in chapter 8.

Paul’s question, “Why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks?” is in the context of his discussion regarding strong believers acquiescing to weaker believers in matters of conscience. The only real way to hold on to that freedom, because it is freedom, is to use or not use it freely, depending on the situation. Strong believers must not allow their freedom to be limited or condemned by weaker believers, so they should not use their freedom when that could happen. Simply because these strong believers can thank God for the food and enjoy it, no matter where it came from, they should not allow themselves to be condemned for using that freedom. It is better, said Paul, to set aside one’s freedom in those situations. The bottom line is that all that we as Born-Again Christian believers do should be done for the glory of God. If we as strong Born-Again Christian believers had to set aside our liberties in order to win others to our Lord Jesus Christ, we should do so because this would bring glory to God. Amen!

A Call To Return To Our Lord Jesus Christ

In Deuteronomy 30:15-16 NLT says, “15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep His commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in His ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.”

In Verses 15-16 describe that we need to read and obey – “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil” – The alternatives of a good and happy, or a disobedient and miserable life are set before the people of Israel including us.

Food Sacrificed To Idols

In 1 Corinthians 8:8-13 NLT says, “8 It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do. 9 But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble. 10 For if others see you – with your “superior knowledge” – eating in the temple of an idol, won’t they be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been offered to an idol? 11 So because of your superior knowledge, a weak believer for whom Christ died will be destroyed. 12 And when you sin against other believers by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, you are sinning against Christ. 13 So if what I eat causes another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live – for I don’t want to cause another believer to stumble.

In Verses 8-9 describe that food is neutral – neither good nor evil, regardless of whether or not it has been sacrificed in a pagan temple to an idol. There would be nothing inherently wrong with eating such meat because food has nothing to do with one’s relationship with God. Paul said that the strong believers should not push the weak but, instead, be willing to love them. These “strong” believers (as opposed to those whom Paul described as “weak”) knew Scripture and stood strong on God’s commands and prohibitions but were free from minor, legalistic constraints. Yet, we must be careful with our freedom so that it would not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble. Since it really doesn’t matter what kind of food believers eat, the strong believers should live on the side of love for the sake of the weaker believers.

A “stumbling block” refers to something that might cause someone to trip or fall into sin. The strong but insensitive Christian may flaunt his or her freedom, be a harmful example, and thus offend the consciences of others. The overscrupulous but weak Christian may try to fence others in with petty rules and regulations, thus causing dissension. Paul wanted his readers to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because all we as Born-Again Christian believers are strong in certain areas and weak in others, we constantly need to monitor the effects of our behavior on others.

In Verse 10 describes that Paul offered an example of what might happen. The weak Christians (those with “weak consciences” as explained in 1 Corinthians 8:7) think that it is wrong to eat food that has been sacrificed to an idol. Strong Christians know there’s nothing wrong with eating such food, so they go to the temple of an idol and eat there. As noted in 1 Corinthians 8:1, this would not have been an uncommon occurrence, for most social and cultural events happened in the temples. When weak believers see their fellow Christians eating in the idol temple, the weak believers would be encouraged to violate their conscience by doing the same. If a weak believer does something that he or she is not sure is right or wrong, that action will bring condemnation (see also Romans 14:23).

If one believer has no scruples about where meat comes from or how it is prepared but flaunts his or her belief in order to cause one who is concerned to be distressed, then that stronger individual is not acting in love. The conduct of stronger believers is not to be decided by what they feel is their better insight into the Scriptures or what they feel would “strengthen” those weaker ones. Rather, it is to be decided by love and sensitivity. Paul was pointing out how the strong believers ought to use their freedom in public – the situation he described here was very public. If these strong believers ate meat that had been offered to idols in the privacy of their homes because they knew such meat was not tainted in any way, they could do so with liberty and without concern for the scruples of the weaker believers. Strong Christians ought to, at times, restrain their freedom for the sake of the weak, but they need not come into bondage to the consciences of weak believers.

In Verse 11 describes that the stronger believer must not let what he or she wants to do (when it is a minor matter such as whether to eat meat or not) become a stumbling block that could destroy a weaker brother or sister. The strong believers know they are free from concern about meat offered to idols, but that superior knowledge must not cause them to harm other believers. The Greek verb translated destroyed means “to bring about destruction.” It could also mean a “ruin” of one’s conscience if the weaker believer goes against his or her scruples. To ruin a person’s conscience would be total destruction. Therefore, we as strong Born-Again Christians are to act in love. That other person, no matter how much the strong believer disagrees with him or her, is still someone for whom our Lord Jesus Christ died. If our Lord Jesus Christ willingly gave up His life, we as Born-Again Christian believers ought to be willing to give up our freedoms occasionally so as not to harm another.

We as mature Christians shouldn’t flaunt their freedom. We should be sensitive to younger converts whose faith can be destroyed by such freedom. For example, a young Christian addicted to gambling may be damaged by the strong Christian’s freedom to play cards. Some activities may be all right in and of themselves but not around weaker new converts. Weak believers ought not do anything against their consciences, but they must grow in the faith and, at the same time, not pass judgment on their stronger brothers and sisters.

In Verse 12 describes that throughout this passage, Paul has been addressing stronger believers. So when he wrote and you, he was referring to these people. If they were insensitive to their weaker brothers and sisters by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong, then they would be sinning both against our Lord Jesus Christ and against other Christians. Because all Born-Again Christian believers are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), no one believer has the right to sin against any other believer – to do so would be to sin against our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

In Verse 13 describes that Paul willingly followed his own advice, stating that if what he ate would make another Christian sin, he would never eat meat again. Strong believers can restrict their freedoms for the sake of others. In areas of disagreement, Paul counseled the believers to keep their beliefs between themselves and God. The brother or sister who believes in certain freedoms should not be trying to influence others with scruples to “loosen up.” Those bothered by some actions should not be judging or condemning those with freedom, nor should they be trying to force their scruples on the entire church. Instead, all believers should seek to have a clear conscience before God.

Our liberty is immense in our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet we are to rein in the wide latitudes of our choices. We must be free in our Lord Jesus Christ to select all that He permits us. If our Lord Jesus Christ approves any appetite for our enjoyment, it is ours to enjoy – with one exception. There may be something that our Lord Jesus Christ approves for us, but if someone else saw us doing it, they might accuse us of being superficial or worldly. Then for the sake of those whom our liberty might injure, our Lord Jesus Christ asks us to desist, stop, discontinue from that activity. Amen!

A Living Sacrifice To God

In Romans 12:1-2 NLT says, “1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

In Verse 1 concludes – And so, because of God’s great compassion on both Jews and Gentiles in offering salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, Paul urges believers to please God in their daily lives. The evil world is full of temptation and sin. Paul helps believers understand how they can live for God.

Paul had already told the Roman believers to offer themselves to God so that their whole bodies would be for His glory (Romans 6:13). Our bodies are all we have to offer – we live in our bodies. The body enfolds our emotions, our mind, our thoughts, our desires, and our plans. Thus, the body represents the total person; it is the instrument by which all our service is given to God. In order to live for God, we must give Him all that we are, represented by our body. If our body is at God’s disposal, He will have our free time, our pleasures, and all our behavior.

When sacrificing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (see 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24). God wants us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices – daily laying aside our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal, and trusting Him to guide us (see Hebrews 13:15-16; 1 Peter 2:5). Our new life is a thank-offering to God. Offering our body as a living and holy sacrifice to be completely set apart for God and dedicated to His service.

In Verse 2 describes that when we as Born-Again Christian believers offer our entire self to God, a change will happen in our relation to the world. Born-Again Christians are called to a different lifestyle than what the world offers with its behavior and customs, which are usually selfish and often corrupting (Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:14). Born-Again Christians are to live as citizens of a future world. There will be pressure to conform, to continue living according to the script written by the world, but Born-Again Christian believers are forbidden to give in to that pressure.

But refusing to conform to this world’s values must go even deeper than the level of behavior and customs – it must go to the transforming of the way we think. Born-Again Christian believers are to experience a complete transformation from the inside out. And the change must begin in the mind, where all thoughts and actions begin. Much of the work is done by God’s Spirit in us, and the tool most frequently used is God’s word. As we memorize and meditate upon God’s word, our way of thinking changes. Our minds become first informed, and then conformed to the pattern of God, the pattern for which we were originally designed. When we as Born-Again Christian believers have had our minds transformed and are becoming more like our Lord Jesus Christ, we will know what God wants and we will want to do it for it is good, pleasing to God, and perfect for us.

Self-control is rarely the virtue of the proud. Security breeds indulgence and death – both personal and national death. Still, believers are called to live lives of self-denial in times of cultural decadence, corruption, debauchery, depravity, dissolution, and self-indulgence.

Prayer is the key that unlocks and reveals faith. Effective prayer needs both an attitude of complete dependence and the action of asking. Prayer demonstrates complete reliance on God. Thus, there is no substitute for prayer, especially in situations that seem impossible.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said that prayer and devotion to God are the real evidences of a robust inner faith. Self-control is the first step of spiritual discipline. We must practice and prepare ourselves for the coming battles.

So, let our hearts and minds in tune with God, in the power of God, the Holy Spirit. Let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. We as Born-Again Christians have been tried and cleansed, we have moved freely into a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that is more powerful than it was before our trials. We are at home in the presence and fellowship of God, for we are heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ, more like Him that we could ever have dreamed possible. So, let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. Amen!

So our worship centers on our self-control. But then so does our entire world of relationships. Our self-control finds the energy to be consistent in its driving desire to bring pleasure to our Heavenly Father.  

The principle is that no one has anything of value to bring to God in order to deserve salvation, mercy, justification, or even a second glance from God. The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored. Acceptance before God cannot be achieved by good deeds, piety, or any amount of self-proclaimed righteousness.

Let’s never get over the effect of God’s saving transformation on people’s lives. People who were lost in sin, filled with anger and bitterness, give up their hatred and become approachable as we have studied and learned last time. That is, of course, why we minister to others. Those of us who minister are not people to whom gentleness and self-control comes naturally. We are people who have been remodeled by grace. We thankfully leave our old natures far behind as we embrace gentleness and self-control and in our treatment of others.

Sunday by Sunday as we come to worship, let me encourage our brothers- and sisters-in-Christ, and I want my readers and listeners to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because all, we as Born-Again Christian believers are strong in certain areas and weak in others, we constantly need to monitor the effects of our behavior on others.

In these SELF-CONTROL Series of Podcast, we will learn the following PURPOSES of this fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT:

1. Learned and knew the Path of Coming to Maturity – Podcast Self-Control #1
2. Learned To Say No To Our Appetites – Podcast Self-Control #2
3. To Receive Freedom From Permissiveness – Podcast Self-Control #3
4. To Manage Our Moods – Podcast Self-Control #4
5. The Disciplined Life – Podcast Self-Control #5
6. The Mark of Obedience – Podcast Self-Control #6
7. Remembering Who We Are In Relationship With Christ – Podcast Self-Control #7

Three (3) Questions we can answer from these Sources: The Bible and Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Observation: What do these passages say to you?

Interpretation: What do these passages mean to you?

Application: How do the meaning of these passages apply to you or to your situation?

If you are not sure that you are Born-Again Christian believer, please take a look of one of our ministries, “An Invitation To Meet Our Lord Jesus Christ” at https://homefellowshipchurches.org/an-invitation-to-meet-our-lord-jesus-christ/

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Suggested Prayer: Father God, we come into your presence in our Lord Jesus Christ name, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for Your agape love and forgiveness you have done on the Cross of Calvary, and continue to intercede for us in prayer. Thank you Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter. Thank you for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage and strength. We cling, yield, plug-in and tune-in to you Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Words, obey them, receive Your divine revelation, know the Truth that sets us free, and apply them in our lives, in our Lord Jesus Christ name, Amen!

God bless you all and our families!

In Malachi 3:10-12 AMPC says, “10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it”, says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” [Malachi 2:2.] 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer (insects and plagues) for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruits before the time in the field,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight”, says the Lord of hosts.

If the people would obey God, giving as they should, God would flood His people with blessings. There would be an overabundance of God’s blessing if He was given what He requested.