Lesson 20 - June 6, 2001

Noted Joseph's Rom. 8:28 mentality.

Illustration: Chef

Illustration: Paul looked at things in his own life that way also!! Phil 1:12-14

So what is Paul saying?? All the things that happened to me that from man's vpt would say are horrible, unjust, unfair, they've all come down to a good purpose!

Ø Now we need to consider some things related to Self-Control; see just what the Word of God says about self-control.

Need to start with Gal 5:22-23;

Notice that the final and climatic fruit of the Spirit is self-control.

How does Spirit Control; which is the very essence and nature of the Christian life relate to self-control??

How does Spirit Control relate to self-control??

** Self-control is evidence of Spirit-control - empowering in life!

Ø Look at 2 Pet 1:5; See here an interesting link between knowledge and self-control.

Decisions are to be based on objective truth from the Word of God!

Need to look at a commonly held view but one that is false.

1. FALSE VIEW

H/S Bel Actions

The Holy Spirit works through you and you are nothing but a hand, an arm, an instrument to be used by the Holy Spirit!

What is the role of the believer in this view?

1. The believer is essentially passive, as such you make few, if any choices! God does it not you!

2. This view makes living the Christian life very subjective!

3. What are the implications if this view is true??

4. One who believes this way, really functions in the Christian life as a non-person.

5. This type of believer is guided mainly by outside influence, the group, peer pressure.

*** So this view says that the believer is passive, the H/S controls the believer, uses them as a hand or arm, as instrument to produce actions.