A Better Way - What's Your Marshmallow? (Fruit Of The Spirit - Self Control)

Galatians 5:22 

kratos - having an inner strength to master ones desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites.

a person walking with the fruit of self control has an inner power over appetites, physical urges, passions, and desires

There’s a part of us that needs controlling or that needs mastering.

self - the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

the Spirit of God will empower you to not do the things that are against who God has called you to be.

people who don’t walk by the spirit, with the empowerment of self control live out of control lives.

The average American household has about $38,000 in personal debt, not counting home mortgages.

40% of American adults aged 20 and over are obese and 71.6% of adults aged 20 and over are obese.

50 percent of married couples in the United States divorce and that stat doesn’t decrease much within the church.

self-control is spirit control

1. Give The Holy Interrupting Rights

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.


2. Put To Death What’s Already Dead

Galatians 5:24 

Colossians 3:5 

Romans 8:6 

Luke 9:23 

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die if you don’t kill the flesh, it will kill you.

Make decisions against your “self” everyday.

3. Stay Full Of What Satisfies

Sin is what you do when you're not satisfied in God.” - John Piper

Matthew 4:4 Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Ephesians 5:19 Be filled with the Spirit,

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Psalm 107:9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

4. Attend To The Gates

Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Your eyes are a gate, 
Your ears are a gate, 
and your mouth is a gate
They are access points the will determine 
What you think 
What you feel
and How you act

5. Live With “The End” In Mind

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,


1. Give The Holy Interrupting Rights
2. Put To Death What’s Already Dead
3. Stay Full Of What Satisfies
4. Attend To The Gates
5. Live With “The End” In Mind