“I know I shouldn’t, but…” If you shouldn’t, and you know you shouldn’t, then why are you doing it? No self control, no personal restraint He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Prov. 25:28 Defenseless (sin every time we’re tempted) We are living in a very self indulgent age We expect instant gratification We feel entitled to all our pleasures We feel abused if anything is denied us

From 1960 to 1990 United States population grew 41% Violent crime increased 560% Illegitimate births rose 400% Divorce rate quadrupled Teen suicide grew 200% S.A.T. scores dropped by 80 points William Bennett, Rocky Mt. News 3/1/93

Edmund Burke “Men are qualified for civil liberty, in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites…. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

Passion Forged Fetters We become enslaved by our desires 1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Mastered by Money Eccl 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. More money will bring happiness Unrestrained Spending (shopoholic) Judas was seduced by greed in Jesus’ presence Ananias and Sapphira within the church

Controlled by Chemicals Temperance Movement began in 1874 (45 yrs) 1919-1933 Prohibition (lasted 14 years) Alcoholics Anonymous 1935 Prov. 20:1 Deceptive nature of drink Drink socially, to unwind, only occasionally… Pills for emotional or physical pain, to make you happy, socially comfortable,…

Enslaved by Emotions Anger: Prov 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Sex: Powerful urge that is enticed by society and stimulated by our own immature behavior 1 Cor. 6:18 “Flee Fornication…” 1 Cor 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. egkrateuomai - exercise self-restraint (temperate in 1 Cor. 9:25) Prov. 5:3-4 look past the enticement to the reality

Yoked by Youth 2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts:… Flee greed (1 Tim. 6:11) Flee Fornication (1 Cor. 6:18) Flee Idolatry (1 Cor. 10:14) Desire to prove himself (pride) 2 Tim. 2:23-26 Desire to be accepted by peers 2 Tim. 1:8 Impatience and Impulsiveness 2 Tim. 2:15-16

Servants of God 1 Cor 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. We need medicine, money, and to speak with our tongues Sex is sanctioned in marriage and anger is acceptable with just cause