Stronghold of Habitual Sin
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-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. - Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 7:18-19 & 24 NLT
By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!
We’re not saved because we win over sin, but rather we win over sin because we’re saved.
Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Romans 6:15-16 NLT
It’s not God’s will that His sons and daughters live as slaves to habitual sin.
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
1) Sin is not worth it..
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 ESV
Untamed passions will take a prince from the palace to a prison, while consecrated passions will take a prince from a prison to the palace!
2) You have to own your sin to overcome your sin.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9 NLT
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:14-15 NLT
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
I can follow God to Freedom!
3) You can Identify and Avoid Temptation’s Traps.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 NLT
Real freedom requires a willingness to make wise, even radical choices.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV
If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. Matthew 5:29 ESV
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. James 3:2 CSB
Compromise in areas you think you don’t struggle will cost you in the areas you know you do.
Isolation is one of our enemies most effective strategies.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT
Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire. Proverbs 18:1 ESV
4) To resist the sin nature is to surrender to God’s nature
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 ESV
5) Live all in with God
Ephesians 6:12-13 NLT
I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:15 NLT
Luke warm will never win against sin.
It takes God’s armor, God’s weapons and God’s favor to win the war against sin.
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