Overflowing Excess

A word meaning excess or lack of control is akrasia. It is used two times in the New Testament, once for a husband and wife who are sexually fasting and who are therefore tempted because of their incontinency (1 Cor. 7:5). The second use is when Jesus lambasted the Pharisees because they cleaned the outside of the cup and platter, but inside were full of extortion “and excess” (Matt. 23:25). One of the reasons that nonbelievers, even nonbelievers in positions of influence and importance, cannot control themselves is that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.