2. Ephesians 5:3-14 (NKJV)

4. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NKJV) 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

7. 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

8. Ephesians 5:3-14 (NKJV) Ephesians 5:3-14 (NKJV) 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

9. 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;) and watch (Mt. 26:41; 1 Pet. 5:8)  Are we spiritually alert through prayer, Bible study, and worship? 14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Ephesians 5:15 (NKJV) 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, Romans 13:11 (NKJV) 11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 1 Corinthians 15:34 (NKJV) 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

10. 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 (2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Thess 5:14; Tit. 1:9, 13; 2:15)  Does our preaching, teaching, and conversation reprove sin?  Many are happy just saying, is “my family, what can I do? but rather expose them by them in secret. is light 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NKJV) 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. Titus 1:9 (NKJV) 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. Titus 1:13 (NKJV) 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, Titus 2:15 (NKJV) 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

11. 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)? 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Psalm 1:1 (NKJV) 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 1 Corinthians 5:9 (NKJV) 9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV) 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Revelation 18:4 (NKJV 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Romans 1:32 (NKJV) 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

12. 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, 19-20; Jn. 15:16; Rom. 6:22; Gal. 5:22; Jas. 3:17-18)  What are we planting/harvesting each day? 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Matthew 7:16-20 (NKJV) 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them. John 15:16 (NKJV) 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Romans 6:22 (NKJV) 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, James 3:17-18 (NKJV) 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

13. 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.)? 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 1 Corinthians 6:9 (NKJV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) 33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) 33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." Colossians 2:18 (NKJV) 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

14. 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. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:21); we must put it away (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:5)  Are we engaged in behavior that is unbecoming of Christians? has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21 (NKJV) that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV) 25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Colossians 3:5 (NKJV) 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

15. 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!