2. The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”

3. The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
2) We behave badly

4. The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

5. The “Cycle” 1) We live “right” 4) Action step 2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

6. Judges
1375 – 1025 BC (350 years) – after Israel entered the Promised Land but before they had kings.
13 “judges” – leaders, rescuers
Israel “looped” through the cycle seven times over the 350 years.

7. Judges
Stage 1: Israel lived “right”
Stage 2: Israel behaved badly
Judges 3:12 “Once again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD.”
Stage 3: Israel had a heart-change
Judges 3:15 “The Israelites cried out to the LORD, and He gave them a deliverer – Ehud, a left-handed man….”
Stage 4: Israel took an “action step”
Judges 3:30 Israel turns back to God and there is peace in the land.

8. Competing the cycle can last a minute…or months…or years.
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

9. Competing the cycle can last a minute…or months…or years.
Best case scenario:
loop less often
loop faster
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

10. Reducing the drift from stage 1 to stage 2:
read the Bible
listen to the Holy Spirit
surround yourself with good people
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

11. Reducing the drift from stage 1 to stage 2:
read the Bible
listen to the Holy Spirit
surround yourself with good people
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change
The Bible will teach us, rebuke us, correct us and train us to live “right.”
2 Timothy 3:16

12. Reducing the drift from stage 1 to stage 2:
read the Bible
listen to the Holy Spirit
surround yourself with good people
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change
I will listen to what God will say….
Psalm 85:8

13. Reducing the drift from stage 1 to stage 2:
read the Bible
listen to the Holy Spirit
surround yourself with good people
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change
Bad company corrupts good character.
1 Corinthians 15:33

14. Things that keep us from moving to stage 3
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
Things that keep us from moving to stage 3
pride
stubbornness
hurt
anger
fear
“I’ve already messed up….”
3) Heart-change

15. The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
“bad” hurdles
pride
stubbornness
hurt
anger
fear
apathy
3) Heart-change

16. Besetting sins: sins that keep assaulting, plaguing, and tormenting us.
All of us have a (short?!) list of “besetting sins” that we struggle with more than other sins.
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change

17. Wrap-up
To stay in stage 1 longer (loop less often): read the Bible, listen to God’s voice, and surround yourself with good people.
To loop through the cycle faster: pray for humility, courage, and motivation.
The “Cycle”
1) We live “right”
4) Action step
2) We behave badly
3) Heart-change