Scriptures: Galatians 5:17-25, 2:20, Romans 7:15, Proverbs 25:28

We're living in a culture that is increasingly out of control. From road rage to frivolous law suits, to teenage pregnancies, to disintegrating families, we are increasingly losing our grip on ourselves. We can only be successful at self control when God is in control of us. So the question really becomes not whether we're out of control or not, but Who controls us? In this message, Dr. Merritt explores the fruit of self-control. Learn how to move beyond your own desires to begin to desire what God wants for you and for each of us. When we confront those areas that are out of control, we find that God will give us the strength, in Him, to surrender those areas and bring them under His guiding hand.

"The sinful nature is simply the desire that we were all born with, that we all came out of our mothers’ womb with, to have our way, to get what we want, to satisfy our needs, and to put ourselves first. In other words it is what some scientists or sociologists would call 'the animal instinct.' It is the desire to call our own shots, to do our own thing and to look out for number one." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: Fruit of the Spirit, tasty, Galatians 5:22-23, self, control, Charlie Sheen, UCLA, Belgium, Raynald III, Crassus, sin, nature, desire, contrary, Holy Spirit, society, culture, immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, sexual, crucified, selfish, recognize, problem, repent, live