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Six Steps Backward to Sin Prepared by Chris Reeves * Southside church of Christ Gospel Meeting * September 23, 2015

The Christian & Sin Much of what Paul has to say about sin is directed to Christians (Gal. 5; Eph. 4-5; Col. 3) We wonder how a Christian can end up back in sin – the godly preacher, elder, deacon, Bible class teacher, etc. Read Eph. 5:3-14 in reverse and you will find the six backward steps to sin

Step 1: Fall Asleep The first step back into sin is when we fall asleep spiritually (verses 14); we stop walking wisely (verse 15) We must wake up (Rom. 13:11; 1 Cor. 15:34; 1 Thess. 5:6) and watch (Mt. 26:41; 1 Pet. 5:8) Are we spiritually alert through prayer, Bible study, and worship?

Step 2: Stop Reproving It The second step back into sin comes when we stop openly reproving sin with the light of God’s truth (verses 11-13) We must always be open in our reproving (Gr. elegcho = to convict; to expose) of sin (1 Tim. 5:10; 2 Tim. 4:2; Tit. 1:9, 13; 2:15) Does our preaching, teaching, and conversation reprove sin?

Step 3: Fellowship It The third step back into sin comes when we fellowship those who are in sin; even if we don’t personally engage in the sin ourselves (verse 11) We must never fellowship sin (Psa. 1:1; 1 Cor. 5:9; 2 Cor. 6:14; Rev. 18:4) Do we consent with those in sin even though we don’t do it ourselves (Rom. 1:31)?

Step 4: Stop Bearing Fruit The fourth step back into sin comes when we stop bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth; stop being well- pleasing to the Lord (verses 7-10) We must be actively bearing fruit each day for good (Mt. 7:16-20; Jn. 15:16; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:11; Jas. 3:17-18) What are we planting/harvesting each day?

Step 5: Be Deceived The fifth step back into sin comes when we allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that the sin is not all that bad (verse 6) We must never be deceived by worldly wisdom: slogans, philosophies, studies, etc. (1 Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Col. 2:8) Who do we listen to, God or man (media, experts, scholars, majority, friends, etc.)?

Step 6: Sin The sixth and final step is the actual sin (verses 3-5) We must never forget that there is no place for this behavior in God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:21); we must put it away (Eph. 4:25ff; Col. 3:5ff) Are we engaged in behavior that is unbecoming of Christians?

Six Steps Backward to Sin Do you see yourself taking any of these steps backward? Slow and gradual? Rapid? Skipping some steps? We know how the Devil works – the “wiles of the Devil” (Eph. 6:11)! Don’t be led backward into sin!