Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Rom 6;23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. But why does sin feel so good? It never satisfies/fiullfils There is something about...realizing that our struggle with sin is in many ways similar to an alcoholic's struggle with drinking. It's never over. How often I find myself talking about sin in the past tense as if being a sinner is something I'm beyond--a page turned in the book of my life. But sin is like alcoholism. Sinners are never cured; they simply decide to stop sinning...and it's a daily decision. Romans 3:23; 6:23

Agenda Rom 8:16 2Pet 1:9 I Cor 9:24 What is Sin? Pattern of the Israelites Cycle of Sin Development of Sin Overcoming Sin! Why do we choose to sin rather than choose what we know God wants us to do? Four answers are commonly given today. 1. Some point to Romans 8:16 and explain that Christians who willfully sin have forgotten their true identity as "children of God." While it is true that Christians can forget who they are and sin as a result, Christians can also be well aware of who they are and sin anyway. 2. Some choose to sin because they have lost sight of what God has done for them. 2 Peter 1:9 indicates that Christians can be "blind or short-sighted, having forgotten [their] purification from [their] former sins." 3. Some wisely state that Christians consciously choose to sin because they have forgotten that God will severely discipline disobedient believers. 4. Some have said that Christians who consciously sin have lost their focus on the future. These Christians have forgotten that God will reward in heaven only those who have lived faithfully for Him here on earth (1 Cor 9:24). Christians who fail to keep eternity in mind often sin in the here and now. Rom 8:16 2Pet 1:9 I Cor 9:24

Who was the first to sin against God? Ezekiel 28:16,17 Isaiah 14:13-15 How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:16-17). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed out of heaven. Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan was full of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will...” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15. Ezekiel 28:12-15describes Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the most beautiful of all of God's creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off His throne” and take over the rule of the universe. The book of Job tells us that, for a time at least, Satan still had access to heaven and to the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:6-7). Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for his activities. At what point God discontinued this access is unknown. 

What is Sin? Isaiah 59:1-2 Transgression of the law (1 John 3:4) All Unrighteousness (1 John 5:17) What is not of faith (Romans 14:23) Not doing good (James 4:17) Missing the Mark Progressive (2Tim 3:13) Short-Lived (Heb 11:25) I John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. I John 5:17 17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. Righteousness = following the ways of God. Rom 14:23  23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. James 4:17 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Isaiah 59:1-2

Pattern for Israel in Judges Enemy Years of Bondage Judge Deliverance and Rest Scripture Mesopotamia 8 Othniel 40 3:7-11 Moab 18 Ehud 80 3:12-31 Canaan 20 Deborah 4:1-5:31 Midian 7 Gideon 6:1-8:28 Ammon Jephthah 6 10:6-12:7 Philistia Samson 13:1-16:31 The book of Judges, which is believed to have been written by the prophet Samuel around 1050 – 1000 BC, presents us with a sad and turbulent period in Israel’s history. Contrasted greatly with the victorious book of Joshua that precedes it. Joshua was Moses replacement. IN the book it shows him leading Israel to the Promised land. In Josh 1:5 As I was with Moses, I will be with you. 24:15 “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” Joshua warned the Iraelites to remain obedient to God, but they did not... Judges shows the failure of Israel to conquer their enemies, claim their inheritance, and the huge effect that this had on their life and relationship with God. Throughout this entire book, we see a repeated cycle, one that we will call ‘The cycle of sin’. Now, if you look up the starting scripture for each of those passages, you will notice that the same phrase is used to begin each section, and it is this –   ‘Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD… You will also notice that in most cases the period of time spent serving the Lord was longer than their time in bondage to their enemies. So the cycle can be stopped

Cycle of Sin The Cycle of Sin in Judges Israel Serves the Lord Israel falls into sin & idolatry Israel is enslaved Israel cries out to the Lord God raises up a Judge Israel is delivered Judges 2:18-19 Judges 2:18-19 ‘Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them.  But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.’ In these two verses we find the pattern for the entire book – a pattern of sin, bondage and repentance that would last for nearly 350 years (1380 to 1050 BC). In other words there was a repeated cycle throughout the entire book – a cycle of sin, bondage, repentance, devotion, followed by sin and bondage again. Israel would follow the Lord when there was a leader who reminded them of the ways in which they should walk, but with his death they again wandered off following other gods and their own desires. God would then allow an enemy of Israel to conquer the people so that, through desperation (unfortunately) they would again look to Him.

Cycle of Sin The Cycle of Sin in our lives [Name] serves the Lord [Name] falls into sin & idolatry [Name] is enslaved [Name] cries out to the Lord God raises up a Judge [Name] is delivered The cycle of sin is unfortunately evident in many Christian lives today. Maybe it is one enemy, or one particular area of weakness that consistently drags you down into bondage. Judges is a book that teaches us both how they became captive to the enemy, and also how they got out of that bondage. And in doing so, it then teaches us how to break the cycle of sin. Looking over your past as a Christian, have you seen this in your own life? Has your Christian walk been a cycle of victory and defeat? Do you see the cycle occurring in your life? If we are honest, the message of Judges is a wake up call for each of us. It is a warning of what can happen once we become comfortable and begin to compromise with the enemy. It is signpost, and a danger signal of the perils that can lie ahead in our Christian lives. Ok, so now put your own name in where ‘Israel’ is mentioned and see if it is still true! Obviously God doesn’t raise up judges today to rescue us like He did for Israel so many years ago. In fact, if you do tend to spend a lot of time dealing with judges today then I’m sorry, but you may need more than this study… possibly a lawyer! But God does still use Christian friends, leaders and speakers[4] to draw us back to Himself. 

Sin Development Stage One: Temptation (Heb 4:15) Stage Two: Sin Itself (James 1:15) Stage Three: Consequences for Unforgiven Sin Desire + Opportunity = temptation desire + opportunity + action = sin desire + opportunity + action + No Forgiveness = Death To illustrate: A small boy is TEMPTED to steal some cookies when he WANTS (desire) them and has an OCCASION (opportunity) to take them b. The temptation becomes stronger if he wants them badly, and has a good chance of getting them without being seen. PLEASE NOTE: At this stage in the development of sin, actual sin has not yet been committed. Jesus himself was tempted without sin (Heb 4:15) "When desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin" - Jm 1:15 2. It becomes sin when we ACT and YIELD to the temptation "And sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" - Jm 1:15 The "death" spoken here refers to spiritual separation from God. If you noticed carefully, you should have seen that at each of the four points in the development of sin, God is able and willing to help us overcome sin! a. God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds b. God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such c. God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man d. God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through the BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray -- Isn't the grace of God wonderful? - 2Th 3:3; 1Co 10:13

Overcoming Sin The Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-25) Word of God (Psa 119 II Tim 3:16-17 Heb 4:12) Prayer (Matt 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8 John 6:23-27 Eph 6:17) Body of Christ (Matt 10:1 Heb 10:24 Eccl 4:11-12) Abhor Evil/Cling to good (Rom 12:9) Abstain from evil (I Thes 5:22) In that passage we are called upon to walk in the Spirit. All believers already possess the Holy Spirit, but this passage tells us that we need to walk in the Spirit, yielding to His control. This means choosing to consistently follow the Holy Spirit's prompting in our lives rather than following the flesh. Peter Before/After When it comes to the Bible, we are often either anorexic or bulimic. We either take in just enough to keep us alive spiritually by eating from the Word (but never ingesting enough to be healthy, thriving Christians), or we come to feed often but never meditate on it long enough to get spiritual nutrition from it. (Journal) Again, it is a resource that Christians often give lip service to but make poor use of. We have prayer meetings, times of prayer, etc., but we do not use prayer in the same way as the early church. Acts 3:1.God has given us wonderful promises concerning prayer (Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 18:1-8; John 6:23-27; 1 John 5:14-15), Many Christians find that having an accountability partner can be a huge benefit in overcoming stubborn sins. Having another person who can talk with you, pray with you, encourage you, and even rebuke you is of great value. Having an accountability partner or an accountability group can give us the final dose of encouragement and motivation we need to overcome even the most stubborn of sins.

Overcoming Sin I Cor. 10:13 His Word His Spirit Eternal Life Prayer (desire + opportunity + action) + No Forgiveness = Death Prayer His Son His Word + Prayer + His Spirit + His Son = Eternal Life God helps us to overcome each of the four points in the development of sin. God helps us to "control our desires" by providing His WORD to renew our minds God helps us to "limit the opportunities" through His PROVIDENCE as we pray for such God helps us to "exercise self-control" over our actions through His SPIRIT strengthening the inner man God helps us to "obtain forgiveness" through the BLOOD OF HIS SON as we repent and pray I Cor. 10:13