1. Hindrances to Spiritual Growth
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2. Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth requires desire and effort. (Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:17-18)
Lukewarmness and unfaithfulness that result from a failure to grow is repulsive to God. (Rev. 3:14-15)
Why would one fail to grow spiritually? Why would one endanger his soul once he obeys the gospel?
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3. Why We Fail to Grow Spiritually
God created man with the ability to make choices.
We make choices based upon feelings and knowledge.
These desires the Lord has placed under the government of our mind (will). We can use them in a way that glorifies God or we can use them in a way contrary to God’s will (sin).
The Spiritual Man Allows His Mind to Govern His Desires.
The Carnal Man Allows Desires to Govern His Mind.
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4. War Between the Flesh and the Spirit
Romans 7:17-25
War Between the Flesh and the Spirit
Satan used the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life to tempt Eve. (Genesis 3:1-6)
When we win this battle we manifest the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
When the flesh wins we manifest the lust of the flesh. (Gal. 5:19-21)
17 So now, ano longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my aflesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For athe good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, aI am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then athe 1principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God 1in athe inner man, 23 but I see aa different law in 1the members of my body, waging war against the blaw of my mind and making me a prisoner 2of cthe law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from 1athe body of this bdeath? 25 aThanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh bthe law of sin.
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5. Hindrances to Spiritual Growth
THE MEDIA
CIVIC AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
MATERIALISM
RECREATION
FASHION INDUSTRY
ACCEPTING JUDICIAL SYSTEM’S DECREES
PREACHERS CONDONING SIN
FAMILY RELATIONS
IMPROPER ATTITUDES
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