Sermons / Overcoming Willpower: Beyond Trying Harder

Today we conclude our Fruitful Series, studying the final Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: self-control. Throughout this series, we've discovered that the fruit of the Spirit is not produced in our lives by law, determination, or simply trying harder. It is produced by life. The life of God's Spirit dwelling and working within us. Self-control is the Spirit enabled ability to bring our desires, appetites, emotions, and decisions under the loving authority of Jesus Christ. None of us does this perfectly. We resolve to do better, set new boundaries, and promise ourselves we'll try harder, yet self-effort eventually falls short. So how can self-control become our new normal rather than a constant exercise in willpower? Today, we'll discover that lasting change comes as we depend upon God's grace and the power of His Spirit, learning to live within the boundaries He has established. We commit to this, not simply because of rules we must follow, but because of a Savior we deeply love.