Naked Fruit: Self-Control

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Read along with Luke 14:1, 7-14. 

Sermon excerpt: 

The final characteristic [in our "Naked Fruit" sermons series] is self-control which comes from two Greek words: en which means “in” and kratos which means “strength or power or rule.” Literally, self-control means “strength from within.”[1]

Self-control helps us to choose a life guided by the Spirit instead of a life guided by the works of the flesh, resisting temptations and urges. In fact, without this “strength from within,” loving people would turn into using them to our advantage and generosity would become manipulation.

The Fruit of the Spirit is all about how we treat others,and self-control makes sure that we’re putting others first, instead of always looking to our own interests, like the people from the parable Jesus tells in today’s reading from Luke.

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[1]Trask & Goodall, The Fruit of theSpirit: Becoming the Person God Wants You to Be, p. 152.