Step 1 The Rejection of Sin

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls If. . . God wants us to love Him. He says, “if you love me, you will obey what I have commanded.” John 14:15 Do you love God? The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Obedience If you love God, do you obey what He says? Even when we try to avoid sin, sometimes we find ourselves sinning. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls All People Sin Scriptures tell us, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23 The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls The Definition of Sin The original word “sin” comes from an archery term meaning “to miss the mark.” The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Sin and the Unbeliever It is the nature of man to sin. We are all born sinners. This nature to sin separates us from God. Even if we try to be good and obey the commandments, we will still fall short. The solution is God’s Son, who died to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls The Standard The teachings of Jesus have to be our standard in how we live, talk, and think. Any deviation from this standard is sin. If Jesus is not our King, we will do what is right in our own eyes. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Sin and the Believer When a person comes to God by faith and asks for forgiveness of sins and entry into the Kingdom of God, ALL sin (past, present, and future) is done away with because of Jesus’ payment on the cross. But what happens when we sin now, as a believer? The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

There Is No Condemnation Once we are believers, if we sin, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls A Warning If a person continues to sin just as he/she did before becoming a believer, then the commitment to the Lord needs to be examined. It is very normal to continue to be tempted, but the believer does not have to sin. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Our Escape I Corinthians 10:13 tells us that God is faithful and will enable people to overcome. “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Avoid Sin There are many situations over which we have control. We need to avoid situations where we will be tempted. Do not put yourself in a difficult situation. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Sin in Your Life The next slide has a list of the Seven Deadly Sins. Before you read it, take a moment and ask God to reveal to you if any of these sins are in your life. Likewise, as you read the Seven Virtues, are these characteristics in your life? The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls The Categories of Sin The 7 Deadly Sins Pride Covetousness Lust Anger Gluttony Envy Sloth The Seven Virtues Humility Generosity Chastity Meekness Temperance Charity Diligence The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Habits Can Become Sin Small issues can become bigger if you don’t control them. White lies told here and there become bigger lies. Losing your temper will cause you to become characterized by anger. Envy is one of the Deadly Sins. Do you envy another’s position, money, or possessions? The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls What Do You Call Sin? Many times we downplay our sins. We use many words to describe our sin: Weakness Mistakes Personality disorders Faults Addictions Anger issues, or we might say, I’m “just that way” The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls God Is Faithful God has a remedy for our waywardness: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on HIM the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 ESV) The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Recognize Your Sin Looking at the Ten Commandments will help us discern what is sin in our lives. We must make God our first priority. He wants more than just a Sunday morning ritual from us. He wants a relationship. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls The Ten Commandments Thou shalt have no other Gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Honor they father and they mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery Though shalt not steal. Though shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet they neighbor's goods. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Are You Faithful? As you read the Ten Commandments, did you read some that you may not follow. You may think, surely God doesn’t expect us to abide by ALL of those. But… He does. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls What if It Isn’t Clear? There are some issues that one person will feel is sin, while another believes it to be acceptable. 1 Corinthians 6:12 tells us, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything (ESV). The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Test Right & Wrong Think about the following four questions to help determine right and wrong when there may be a question: Is it helpful – physically, spiritually, and mentally? Does it bring me under its power? Does it hurt others? (I Cor 8:13) Does it glorify God? (1 Cor 10:31) The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The Greatest Commandment When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30 The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Loving God Do you love God with that ferocity? With all of your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength? Or is God something you put up with for a few hours on Sunday and then do what you wish during the rest of the week? The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The Second Commandment “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:31 Loving others can be difficult, but God says we must. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to The Cure of Souls The first step is to Reject Sin. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to The Cure of Souls After you complete Step 1, continue with the rest: Step 2 – Confession Step 3 – Forgiveness Step 4 – Faith Step 5 – Love Step 6 – Prayer Step 7 – Holiness The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls

The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls Complete Step 1 Pray and ask God to reveal to you what sin you have in your life. Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life? Be honest with yourself. Be honest with God. Reject sin. The 7 Steps to the Cure of Souls