Titus 2

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit…” Ephesians 5.18 KJV (emphasis mine)

We learned that when self-control is exercised activities are moderated; passions and appetites are regulated through a conscience enlightened by the Holy Spirit. A friend shared in Sunday School that the Holy Spirit was free to tell her she should not partake in dessert and at the same time could allow you to indulge in cake for breakfast! That is Holy Spirit living: allowing God to direct your every step, including whether or not to eat cake! Recognizing a fellow believer’s liberty to eat cake even when you can’t is vital. Do not compare; do not burden another believer with laws for righteousness that He Himself did not write. Simply have this confidence and prayer: “I invite You, Holy Spirit, to write God’s law upon my heart anytime in anyway You choose and I am committed to obedience. You are a personal God who deals with me in personal ways. Thank you for such a privilege!”

What is the benefit of gaining self-control? Personal freedom. It is true freedom to be able to choose what to do, when to do it, and how much to do it. The world tells us that indulgence is freedom, but we know that whoever participates in sin is a slave to sin (John 8.34.) Through Christ’s work on the cross and the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowering we are free to walk away from sin, no longer a slave, no longer ruled by the flesh. Hallelujah! We are free at last!

The scripture talks about personal freedom gained through self-control as a reality. What are some areas where such freedom is readily practiced and evidenced?

1. finances
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22.7 NIV

That’s a freedom rarely seen in this day and age. What liberty to no longer be servant to a lender!

2. emotions

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22.24,25 NIV

You will be trapped by unbridled responses and emotions. How good to be free from such things.

3. sexual immorality


“But he who commits adultery has no sense; he who does it destroys himself. He will get wounds and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be wiped away.” Proverbs 6.32,33 NRSV

Being enslaved by sexual immorality, a sin that destroys, is a “freedom” I could do without.

4. drinking


“Who has woe? Who has Sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine.” Proverbs 23.29,30 NKJV

Even if those who excessively indulge in wine could prove that they were freely choosing such a lifestyle, how could they validate their choice? Why would they live this way? One can only conclude, through common sense, that they are enslaved. We, in fact, have the scriptures to verify what we have already deduced: those who sin are slaves to sin. And sin is no kind task master.

5. eating


“‘Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’” 1 Samuel 2:29 NIV

“When the messenger mentioned what had happened to the Ark, Eli fell backward from his seat beside the gate. He broke his neck and died, for he was old and very fat. He had led Israel for forty years.” 1 Samuel 4:18 NLV

Overeating, indulgence through food, is not a strictly modern dilemma. Samuel and his sons violated the Law by indulging themselves with the finest cuts of meat, rather than staying true to the sacrificial commandments. They were out of control. Take time to read the passage and see the consequence of their “liberty”. The good news for us? Even in this fleshly sin the Holy Spirit is a present help in times of trouble. Look to Him for this problem in your life. Self-control, a fruit born through the Holy Spirit’s work in us, is the answer.

Christians are the only people who can experience true liberty because it is liberty experienced from within through the fruit of self-control. It is ours if we will choose to be filled with the Spirit. This liberty is true, personal, and always available. It cannot be taken from us.

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” NKJV

Let’s choose Him in all things today.