Tag: Series "Discovering total and complete victory in your life

TOOLS FOR TEMPTATION, PART ONE

Remember, we are on a journey to holiness. Holiness is just beyond
the victory over temptation.

  1. You must first learn how temptation plots against you.
  2. You must know how to enjoy the true victory, one battle at a
    time.
  3. Victory is possible if we use God’s tools that He provides us.

This whole study, some four months into it, is all about complete
total victory over temptation and sin. Hang in there, we are about
halfway through.

  • Temptations are carefully timed
  • They are carefully, individually aimed
  • This began in the garden
  • This attack is at your weakest point
  • Satan tempted Jesus after 40 days of fasting
  • Expect attacks when you are coming out of a spiritual time of
    victory with the Lord (fasting, giving, serving, studying,
    prayer, etc.) these things can drain us of energy and strength –

We often feel after a spiritual time that nothing can affect us
now. THIS IS JUST NOT TRUE.

Temptation quotient

Use the scale below to gauge your risk for temptation.

Your Temptation Alert System

1 is the weakest, 10 is the strongest

Are you…

Physically exhausted/tired 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Discouraged/down 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Encouraged/up

Bored/discontent 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Challenge/content

Spritually depleted/empty 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Distant/alone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Encouraged/up

Alienated, cold 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Internally hopeless/cold 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Insecure/unsure 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 encouraged/up

Bitter/angry 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Energetic/strong

Wounded/hurt 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 encouraged/up

Your Score

90-100 – You are already in heaven
80-89 – Very strong, but be alert to subtle pride and arrogance
70-79 – Strong, but need to depend more upon the Lord
60-69 – Adequate, but watch yourself – you are on the border line
50-59 – Weak, you are emotionally vulnerable
40-49 – Danger! Guard yourself – you are floundering
30-39 – Extreme danger! Call a Christian friend ask for help quick 20-29 – In critical condition – probably have already fallen into sin 10-19 – They are wheeling you to the morgue – Urgent prayer needed 0 – 9 – This is a bad dream pinch yourself and try again

Start with Daniel

Daniel 1:8
Daniel 6:16-17
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou
servest continually, he will deliver thee.17 And a stone was brought,
and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his
own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

If your score below 70, you are in serious need of prayer and help. Be careful what you do and where you go and what you look at.
Below 50, call that trusted friend and have them come along side of
you

Never call someone of the opposite sex who is not your spouse! This can lead to deep sin and serious consequences.
Temptation can be seriously increased when one goes to a member of the opposite sex for counsel.

The best way to combat temptation is to stay in the Word. Keep reading and applying the principles found in the Bible. Do a “spiritual” check up often! Find an accountability partner. A brother or sister in the faith. Get connected to a local Church if at all possible. Find an area of ministry to serve the Lord.

Temptation, the predecessor of all sin, part two

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.                                             - I Corinthians 10:12-14

As we continue our study on temptation we are going to focus on this universal fact: everyone must deal with temptation. No one is immune to it and it is going to affect you. We will fully examine this in more detail and learn better how to deal with it.

your temptation is not unique to you.

  • Each temptation is common
  • Each individual is unique.
  • Satan knows your weakness.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Beset – skillfully surrounds you

  • Gluttony
  • Lust
  • Gossip
  • Anger
  • Deceitfulness
  • critical spirit

Your temptation will usually be in your area of weakness.
Your area of weakness is not unique to you. I Corinthians 10:13 –
Truth (God’s Word) is our way out

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:31-32

the lies we follow.

  • I just cannot help myself.
  • it runs in the family.
  • it is what I have always done.
  • the devil made me do it.
  • I am strong enough to overcome it myself.
  • it is God’s fault. He allowed it to happen
  • I prayed, but that did not work.
  • I cannot be perfect
Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Isaiah 40:29-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

Stop worrying and start waiting on him.

Psalm 46:6-11  The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. 7  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8  Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. 9  He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.11  The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I Corinthians 2:1-5  And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2  For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3  And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

the truth about your temptation

  • It is not unique to just you.
  • It is based on a lie from Satan.
  • The truth is what gives you the power to say no.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Temptations are limited and not allowed to be stronger than your ability to resist.

  • God is faithful
  • You have the ability to overcome it.
  • Reminder – Temptation comes from Satan, the solution comes from God
James 1:13-22  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

God does not hide when you are faced with temptation. – The opposite is true.

  • He comes near to you.
  • He gives you the way out.
  • He is still there.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Hebrews 13:5
II Timothy 3:11-17   Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
  • Your temptation does not make God angry with you.
  • God says to the temptation – you cannot cross this line.
  • Satan’s abilities are limited by God. (Read Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; 1:21-22)

God limits my temptation to my ability, not to yours.

  • You have God’s full attention when temptation comes.
  • God does not automatically increase your strength.
  • God does enable you through obedience to His word.
Psalm 119:10-12 - With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 119:10-12
verse 12   Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Your abilities are tied to your current circumstances.

Life’s situations can determine your severity of temptation – REMINDER – GOD WILL ALWAYS MAKE A WAY OF ESCAPE.

Draw on His compassion and mercy!

Lamentations 3:18-26 And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: 19  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.20  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.21 ¶  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.22  It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Temptation, The Predecessor of all Sin

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

I Corinthians 10:12-14

Temptation is Satan’s tool to lead us into sin, and it is a highly effective tool. He uses it to lead us from holiness to unholiness and righteousness to unrighteousness. Anyone who says they are never tempted is a liar and they are deceiving themselves.

Temptation is the primary reason we desire to sin.

Genesis 3:1-6   Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

All sin is preceded by a temptation that has overcome you.

EVE

  • You will not surely die – temptation deals with a known truth that is in opposition to sin. It minimizes the danger of sin and maximizes the imagined benefits.
  • Attacks the character of God – your eyes will be open – breeds doubt about the word and character of God.
  • All temptation is based on at least one massive lie – you will be like gods
  • Temptation always incites lust to know and experience evil – you will know good and evil

Without temptation, you would never have a desire to sin

Temptation is extremely dangerous when on thinks they cannot fall into sin.

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
I Corinthians 10:12

Understand, any of us can fall into any sin at any moment.

– Satan is aware of this!

Pride will always lead to a fall

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19   Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. – Proverbs 16:18-19

  • Destruction always accompanies pride.
  • Arrogance about sin is pride – be careful how to look at Others who have fallen into sin
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.;
Matthew 26:41

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation

Jesus in Luke 22:40

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: -II Peter 2:7-9

  • An active prayer life is key to defeating temptation

Temptation seeks to overcome you.

I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

  • Even while doing spiritual activities, temptation can overcome you.
  • They come and overtake you – they take control, grasp, the control to use you
  • They attempt to hold you down until you sin.
  • Temptation only exists until you yield to the sin – the sin brings guilt, shame, defeat, feelings of inferiority, separation, fear
  • Temptation is defeated when we resist and do not yield.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:7-10

DEEP CLEANSING AND PREPARING FOR TEMPTATION

James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

II Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

I believe regular cleansing is imperative to defeating temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Steps to deep cleansing

  1. Find a quiet place to sit alone – Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Habakkuk 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
  2. Quiet your heart before the Lord
    Close your eyes and reflect on Him
    Remove all distractions – tv, phone, computer, people, job, etc
    Put all worries aside for a time. They are not going anywhere
    Matthew 6:25-33 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  3. Pray and thank God for allowing you to be at this place at this time Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
    Ask for courage to be honest before Him Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
    Ask for grace to help you as he reveals hidden things in your life.
    Commit to the Lord that your will pay the price necessary for total complete cleansing – Psalms 31:5 Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
    Psalms 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
    Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
  4. Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal your specific sins to you Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
  5. List everything He reveals to you.
    List everything, not just the easy ones
    Re-ask Him to reveal more
    Number them in order of difficulty
    Wait on Him – Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
  6. Confess your sins one at a time – Psalm 51:1-4 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. – I John 1:9-10 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
  7. Accept the fact that this will be a struggle in some areas of your life – Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
    You may well desire to stop because it is to personally hard
    This is the normal human response
    Give yourself time to properly get the job complete (could take more then one time alone) so make this a regular habit.
  8. Make restitution if it is needed. Matthew 5: 23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
    You will have to expect you will be humbled – I Peter 5:5-9 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
    Commit to go to whomever you have sinned against and set it right.
    This is necessary for spiritual victory and freedom
  9. Write done beside each sin you have confessed
    You are not done until you have confessed, made restitution, and received God’s complete cleansing of your sin
    When you have finished the list, burn it as a sign that it has been forgiven.
    10.Thank the Lord for His work in your life as your complete each one.
    Praise time now – praise Him for His faithfulness in forgiving and cleansing you.

Psalms 109:30  I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

Psalms 111:1  Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.

Psalms 115:18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.
Psalms 115:18 

Psalms 135:1-3   Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.2  Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

The Importance of Cleansing Oneself

Matthew 7:1-6
Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

This is not easy

Romans 7:21-25 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Our own sin often seems smaller than someone else’s sin
All growth is preceded by cleansing

Erwin Lutzer – pastor emeritus of Moody Church “We must not part with sin as with a friend, with the purpose of seeing it again and have the same familiarity with it, or possibly greater…we must shake our hands of it as Paul did the snake the viper off his hand into the fire”

Sin – anything beyond the will of God or short of the will of God

James 4:11-17   Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13  Go to now, ye that say, To day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

ALL PERSONAL SIN MUST BE DEALT WITH

MOVING TOWARD HOLINESS
Do not defend your sin

  • Your sin is not less then the next person’s sin
  • Your sin is not the result of someone else action
  • Your sin is not the devil’s fault
  • Your sin is entirely your own fault
NO ONE CAN MAKE YOUR SIN!

James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14

This is where both personal and corporate revival begins

Begins at salvation

Continues through phases of spiritual growth

Spiritual growth is often

• A time of growing
• A leveling off
• Sometimes a slip backward
• Then moving forward
• Then leveling off (digesting what God has taught you)

It is more than

• Worship
• Praise
• Devotions each day
• Attending church once a week

You can do all these and still not be in the will of God – back to James 4 and II Chronicles 7

I Must cleans myself and learn to commune with Him (to share my emotions and feelings with Him, to be in close contact with Him, have intimate communications, a closeness)

Most people here today can quote      II Chronicles 7:14

Few practice it

Did you seek personal holiness this week or just continue as usual?

Let us examine today

  1. Do you actively pursue your personal sin?
  2. Does sin just happen in your life by accident, you did not mean too?
  3. Do you try to avoid sin most of the time?
  4. Do you feel regret when you do knowingly sin?
  5. Do you become angry with your sin?
  6. Do you become deeply grieved with your sin?
  7. Do you hate and detest your sin and turn from it?
  8. How does God feel about your sin?

Where do you stand

  1. Rejection of cleansing because of the hardness of your heart?
  2. Some cleaning because of outside influences such as a message or sermon?
  3. Initial dee cleansing and an intense inward desire for a deep relationship with God? Humbled, prayed, sought after Him, and turn from?
  4. Repeated deep cleaning and a hunger to be holy – desire to be more Christ like
  5. Regular cleansing and a deeper relationship with Jesus

I Corinthians 15:31-34 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.32  If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.