Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit

LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF: EXPLORING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
by Beth Moore

I have also been doing another study called “Living beyond yourself: Exploring the fruits of the spirit” by Beth Moore. I am on the last unit and studying self-control this week and a few things stood out. I just wanted to highlight a few that are found on page 202-203 of this study guide.

“Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Proverbs 25:28

Without self-control, we are like a city with broken-down walls! To understand the significance of such a terrible dilemma we must remember a crucial characteristic of ancient architecture: a city was only as secure as the walls which surrounded it. A city’s walls were its fortification. Archaeologists estimate that three chariots could ride side by side on the wall of Nineveh. The walls of Babylon were so wide that six chariots could ride abreast on them! Their walls lent the reputation that they were practically impenetrable.

“Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

We are the temple of God….and self-control is our walls of protection. It fortifies all that is within. The quality of self-control is that which secures our freedom to love, to experience joy, to know peace, to respond with patience, to have a kind of disposition, to act out of goodness, to step out in faithfulness, and to agree with gentleness. How? Because self-control is the ability to make choices which invite and enhance the authority and filling of the Holy Spirit. Self control is the decision to remain within the boundaries of victory.

Any out-of-control area in our lives, no matter how big or how small, is an open invitation to the enemy……..He is always on the lookout for that one crumbling section of your protective wall…..His weapons are your greatest temptations. Your wounds are guilt, shame, frustration, and failure; his goal is to hold you captive for as long as possible.

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations. You will be called ‘Repairer of Broken Walls’ ‘Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.’.” Isaiah 58:12