Overcoming Stubborn Sins Failure We are, by nature, slaves to sin.

Ephesians 4:17-19 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

We don’t have to be slaves! Good News! We don’t have to be slaves!

Romans 6:17-18 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

1 Corinthians 10:13 13 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.

The Behavior Cycle Character controls Thoughts

Titus 1:15 15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

How Character controls our Thoughts Let’s say that a man sees a pretty woman who is hoping to get his attention… The man of poor character The man of good character ? ?

The Behavior Cycle Character controls Thoughts determine Actions

Action Proverbs17:8 8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Thought

Action Isaiah 29:15 15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” Thought

Action Matthew 6:7 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Thought

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions controls Turn into determine Actions

Hebrews 10:24-25 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

1 Timothy 5:13 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to.

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions develop controls Turn into determine Actions

What show of kindness (character)? Ruth 3:10-11 10 “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. 11 And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Her habits

Proverbs 31 How is “the woman of noble character” described? We see a list of her habits!

Man does not glorify God (v. 18-23) The Spiral of Romans 1:18-32 Man does not glorify God (v. 18-23) Man follows his natural desires (v. 24-25) Man follows after shameful lusts (v. 26-27) Depraved Mind / Filled with every kind of evil (v. 28-32)

The Man of Poor Character & his Natural Desires I would sure like to… develop controls Infidelity “The Law of Diminishing Returns” Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions Affair

The Man of Poor Character & Shameful Lusts Women don’t satisfy me, so… Character develop controls Homosexuality Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions Sexual Experimentation

Consensual sex doesn’t satisfy me, so… The Man of Poor Character & his Depraved Mind Consensual sex doesn’t satisfy me, so… Character develop controls Predator Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions Rape

Man does not glorify God (v. 18-23) The Spiral of Romans 1:18-32 Man does not glorify God (v. 18-23) Man follows his natural desires (v. 24-25) Man follows after shameful lusts (v. 26-27) Depraved Mind / Filled with every kind of evil (v. 28-32)

How do we break the cycle? Character develop controls Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions “Changing our Character” is deceptive. We merely deceive ourselves.

1 John 1:8 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 Corinthians 3:18 18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

James 1:21-22 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions develop controls Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions “Changing our habits” is impossible. Sin tends to grow, not shrink.

Hebrews 11:25 25 He [Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. Sin tends to grow. “The Law of Diminishing Returns”

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions develop controls Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions “Changing our actions” is useless. Eventually the heart will reveal itself.

Proverbs 4:23 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Where is the solution? Where is the problem? If you don’t want the water to come out… Where is the solution? Where is the problem?

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions develop controls Turn into determine Actions

Ephesians 4:17-19 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

Ephesians 4:20-24 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

So then, why do we sin? 1 – Ignorance of the truth. 2 – We believe in lies (deception).

The Behavior Cycle Character Habits Thoughts Actions develop controls Habits Thoughts Turn into determine Actions We break the cycle by renewing the mind. We change the way we think!

3 Steps 1 – Take off our dirty clothes. (Lies we believe) 2 – Wash our Clothes (Renew the mind w/ truth). 3 – Put on clean clothes (Actions based on truth).

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On Put off falsehood

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully Anger to point of sin

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully Anger to point of sin Timely Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:25-29 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully Anger to point of sin Sinful anger gives Devil a foothold Timely Forgiveness

3 Steps Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body In small groups… Complete the diagran using the other examples in Ephesians 4. Put Off Renew the Mind Put On We are all members of one body Put off falsehood Speak Truthfully Anger to point of sin Sinful anger gives Devil a foothold Timely Forgiveness Steeling There is joy in work and honor in giving. Work / sharing with needy Etc. Etc. Etc.

Ephesians 4:30-31 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Practical Steps for Overcoming Stubborn Sins 1. Determine the sin you need to overcome. - Start small and work yourself up. - Let the Spirit guide you via conviction. - Let your mentors guide you via confrontation. 2. Determine what lies you believe when you are committing the sin. 3. 4.

If I look, but don’t touch, Example: Pornography If I look, but don’t touch, no one gets hurt.

I’ll just look… Nothing more. Example: Pornography I’ll just look… Nothing more. It will stop there.

God has not provided all Example: Pornography God has not provided all I need to be satisfied.

Practical Steps for Overcoming Stubborn Sins 1. Determine the sin you need to overcome. 2. Determine what lies you believe when you are committing the sin. 3. Find Scriptures that contradict the lies, and write them on 3x5 cards. 4.

Example: Pornography Matthew 5:28 James 1:15 Philippians 4:19 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If I look, but don’t touch, no one gets hurt. I’ll just look… Nothing more. It will stop there. James 1:15 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. God has not provided all I need to be satisfied. Philippians 4:19 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Practical Steps for Overcoming Stubborn Sins 1. Determine the sin you need to overcome. 2. Determine what lies you believe when you are committing the sin. 3. Busque unas Escrituras que contradicen las mentiras, y escríbalos en una tarjeta. 4. Memorize and meditate on the Scriptures until you believe them.

A True Story