1. 1 “I Can’t Help Myself!” Deception: Man is viewed as only a biological organism that is acted on by biological and social forces rather than as an agent of free will Deception: Man is viewed as only a biological organism that is acted on by biological and social forces rather than as an agent of free will Moral offenders are “sick,” not “sinners” (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7) Moral offenders are “sick,” not “sinners” (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7) We have free will & responsibility; can overcome immoral behavior (Rom. 12:21) We have free will & responsibility; can overcome immoral behavior (Rom. 12:21)

2. 2 “I can’t help myself!” [The New Obscenity] Result of humanistic thinking Result of humanistic thinking Evolution says man is the product of chance (natural selection); biological phenomenon Evolution says man is the product of chance (natural selection); biological phenomenon Morality is not an answer to man’s lack of control, indulgences & destructive actions Morality is not an answer to man’s lack of control, indulgences & destructive actions Must accept free will & responsibility to overcome immoral behavior Must accept free will & responsibility to overcome immoral behavior Not: “I can’t help myself…I was made that way!” (Rom. 1:18-32) Not: “I can’t help myself…I was made that way!” (Rom. 1:18-32)

3. 3 Result of failing to see ourselves as agents of free will Result of failing to see ourselves as agents of free will Moral offenders are “sinners”… not “sick,” Eph. 4:17-19 (“given themselves over to…”) Moral offenders are “sinners”… not “sick,” Eph. 4:17-19 (“given themselves over to…”) Choose immoral conduct, Eph. 2:3 Choose immoral conduct, Eph. 2:3 Free will – Personal responsibility, Eccl. 7:29; 11:9; Matt. 25:15, 26-27, 30 Free will – Personal responsibility, Eccl. 7:29; 11:9; Matt. 25:15, 26-27, 30 “I can’t help myself!” [The New Obscenity]

4. 4 Says it is futile to “just say no” Says it is futile to “just say no” Addiction is defined as compulsory reaction; one has lost control & can’t help himself Addiction is defined as compulsory reaction; one has lost control & can’t help himself But habit, by definition, is self-induced But habit, by definition, is self-induced Smoking, 1 Cor. 6:12 Smoking, 1 Cor. 6:12 Anger, Col. 3:8 Anger, Col. 3:8 Alcohol / Drugs, Eph. 5:18 Alcohol / Drugs, Eph. 5:18 Gambling, 1 Tim. 6:9-10 Gambling, 1 Tim. 6:9-10 Fornication, 1 Cor. 6:13-15, 18 Fornication, 1 Cor. 6:13-15, 18 Do not be deceived! Eph. 5:6

5. 5 Bible: Morally Responsible Product of divine creation, Gen. 1:26- 27 Product of divine creation, Gen. 1:26- 27 We possess free will, Gen. 2:16-17; Eccl. 7:29 We possess free will, Gen. 2:16-17; Eccl. 7:29 We have chosen to sin, Rom. 3:9-19, 23 We have chosen to sin, Rom. 3:9-19, 23 God holds us morally accountable, Rom. 6:23 (14:12) God holds us morally accountable, Rom. 6:23 (14:12)

6. 6 Bible: Morally Responsible God provides power over sin in Jesus Christ, Matt. 11:28-30; Rom. 1:16; 6:23; Acts 2:37-38, 41 God provides power over sin in Jesus Christ, Matt. 11:28-30; Rom. 1:16; 6:23; Acts 2:37-38, 41 Must take responsibility for our sin & repent (Acts 17:30) Must take responsibility for our sin & repent (Acts 17:30) Must choose to obey, Rom. 6:17-18 Must choose to obey, Rom. 6:17-18 Must change our will to conform to God’s, Lk. 9:23; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1-5 Must change our will to conform to God’s, Lk. 9:23; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1-5

7. 7 Temptation, Sin & Free Will 1 Cor. 10:13 We have choices, Josh. 24:15 We have choices, Josh. 24:15 We don’t have to sin, Jas. 1:14-16; 4:7 We don’t have to sin, Jas. 1:14-16; 4:7 Example: King David had choices (2 Sam. 11:1-4) Example: King David had choices (2 Sam. 11:1-4)

8. 8 Temptation, Sin & Free Will 1 Cor. 10:13 We make choices, Eph. 2:1-3 We make choices, Eph. 2:1-3 David made choices, 2 Sam. 11 David made choices, 2 Sam. 11 Stay in Jerusalem, 11:1 Stay in Jerusalem, 11:1 Look with lust, 11:2 Look with lust, 11:2 Send for/lay with Bathsheba, 11:3-4 Send for/lay with Bathsheba, 11:3-4 Attempt cover up, 11:6-13 Attempt cover up, 11:6-13 Murder Uriah in battle, 11:15 Murder Uriah in battle, 11:15

9. 9 Temptation, Sin & Free Will 1 Cor. 10:13 We are responsible for our choices, Rom. 2:1-3, 6 We are responsible for our choices, Rom. 2:1-3, 6 We do not escape our responsibility & accountability to God (2 Sam. 11: 27) We do not escape our responsibility & accountability to God (2 Sam. 11: 27) God held David responsible, 2 Sam. 12:7, 9 God held David responsible, 2 Sam. 12:7, 9

10. 10 Temptation, Sin & Free Will 1 Cor. 10:13 Christ will forgive our sin, 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Christ will forgive our sin, 1 Cor. 6:9-11 When we repent & obey, Acts 18:8 When we repent & obey, Acts 18:8 David was forgiven, 2 Sam. 12:13 David was forgiven, 2 Sam. 12:13

11. 11 “The New Obscenity” “I can’t help myself” is obscene… “I can’t help myself” is obscene… Denies free will Denies free will Denies personal, moral responsibility Denies personal, moral responsibility Denies reality of temptation & sin Denies reality of temptation & sin Denies the need for the only remedy for sin, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) Denies the need for the only remedy for sin, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) Gospel presents choices, Matt. 7:21 (Heb. 3:7-14) Gospel presents choices, Matt. 7:21 (Heb. 3:7-14)