Most people...

Most people have good intentions.

Most people will define morality based on what is permissible, what is tolerable, and what is advisable in our culture.

Most people will simply learn to modify their behavior.

Proverbs 25:28

"A person without self-control

    is like a city with broken-down walls."

A city with broken-down walls is chaotic.

A city with broken-down walls is vulnerable.

A city with broken-down walls is a target.

You will not pursue self-control until you recognize the need for self-control.

Galatians 5:16

"16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves."

Self-control is a spiritual issue.

Galatians 5:17

"17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

When you decide to follow Jesus you have decided to wage war within yourself.

The results of following our sinful nature are regulated in every culture.

Galatians 5:19-21

"19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God."

Here's the lie: If it comes naturally to me, it must be beneficial to me.

Those who have no desire for the Kingdom of God will follow their desires right out of the Kingdom of God.

Romans 14:17

"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Romans 7:21-8:2

"21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[a] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[b] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[c] from the power of sin that leads to death."

The consequences of surrender is freedom.

The consequence of self-pursuit is bondage.

Galatians 5:22-23

"22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

When I surrender to the Holy Spirit I produce fruit that has no need for reduction or regulation.

Biblical self-control is yielding control of self to the Holy Spirit.

Yielding to the Holy Spirit results in a desire for God's will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven...through me.

You can't be in the yield lane and have the right of way.

Yield - recognizing God's right of way.

Put yourself in second place.

Be willing to observe before acting.

Obey immediately.