Self-Control, for the Good of Others

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

Self-control in an athletic arena may also be called self-discipline, the ability to discipline yourself to achieve a goal. If we can believe what we read, an amazing example of self-discipline is Tom Brady, the long-time NFL QB. In his 40’s Brady competes in a league where many players are half his age. He attributes his longevity to his self-discipline, both working out in the off-season and, more famously, to his diet (he even wrote a book on how to eat for peak performance).

Self-discipline in sports is typically for self-gain. What will it do for my career, my fame, or my status? The Fruit of Self-control from the Holy Spirit will always be others-focused. If we don’t understand this others focus, all nine of the FOTS will have less impact. First Corinthians 9:25 reads, Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

At Eternity Sports, we call this Playing For Eternity!

Like the other FOTS, we may be tempted to try to will and work our way to self-control. It is your nature as an athlete and probably what helps you succeed in the games you play. However, to develop consistent self-control we need the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. As God grows the Fruit of Self-control in you, it will flow out to others for their good, and ultimately bring God glory.

Remember, self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. That means it is a result of the work of God’s Spirit in your life. We play a part by cooperating with God in His renewing work in us, but the FOTS is His work in us. There are certain disciplines of our faith that we should be practicing – regular prayer, consistent reading/meditating on God’s Word, and committed time with others in the Body of Christ, to name a few.

Training Exercise

1. How might these two verses impact how self-control could play out in your sport?

• Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32
• Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. Proverbs 25:28 -
• No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

2. Which of the spiritual disciplines listed above (regular prayer, consistent reading/meditating on God’s Word, and committed time with others in the Body of Christ) will you ask God to help you become more consistent in? Ask God now to do that.

Thank you for joining us in the study of God's Living Word. If you have not done so, go to eternitysports.com and join the Playing For Eternity Challenge. Also, share this study with a friend today.

© 2019 by Eternity Sports All rights reserved. No portion of this may be reproduced without the prior written permission of Eternity Sports – www.eternitysports.com. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the English Standard Version. © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.