How can Paul include self control (Gal 5:23) as expressive of freedom and the Spirit? Isn't self control the opposite of freedom? How can Paul include...

Part of the key to understanding why "self-control" is added as part of being
"called for freedom" is to consider the nature of the things that are antithetical to
being "called to freedom." These are:

the works
of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21
envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like

When
self-control is considered in light of these antithetical characteristics, it is clearer that
self-control--which is missing in cases of fornication, sorcery, etc--is a precursor to personal
freedom and is a fruit of the Spirit--who gives freedom from the law--within those who are
converted to the way of Christ (of course, the term "Christian" was not in use during
the period being discussed).