This week, pastoral elder Jadae Fox continues our virtue tour by talking about self-control.

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Sermon Title: Who Is Your Master?
Sermon Passage: Passage: Gen. 39, 2 Sam. 11

“Let God master your desire — or it will master you.”

I. God-mastered desire leads to life (Genesis 39; Proverbs 25:28; Galatians 5:22–23)
II. Desire-mastered life leads to destruction (2 Samuel 11; Philippians 3:19; James 1:14–15)
III. God-mastered desire comes through submission to God (Romans 6:12; Philippians 2:13; Psalm 119:11)

Who is Your Master Questions and Resources PDF Handout

Who is Your Master Questions and Resources PDF Handout

Discussion and Study Questions:

1. Looking at Joseph in Genesis 39, how did his submission to God influence his response to temptation?
2. Where have you experienced—or where do you long to experience—the kind of freedom and life that comes from letting God master your desires rather than suppressing them or indulging them?
3. In David’s story, or yours, how have you seen uncontrolled desire be destructive to self and others?
4. Philippians 3:19 says, “Their god is their belly.” In what subtle ways can good or neutral desires take control in our lives before we realize it?
5. Submission can sound passive, but Scripture presents it as active trust. What does daily submission to God actually look like in real life, according to the passages we’ve discussed?
6. What is one specific area where God may be inviting you to surrender control—not in shame, but in trust—so that the Holy Spirit can bring discernment and self-control?