3.  First lesson on the nature of sin: Rom. 7:13  Deceitful  Enslaving  Defiling  Destructive  Progressive 3

4.  Christians will sin: 1 Jn. 1:8, 10  But God has a “second law of pardon”: 1 Jn. 1:9; Acts 8:22  Jesus is our advocate and the propitiation for our sins: 1 Jn. 2:1-2  BUT, it is God’s will that we do not sin! 1 Jn. 2:1: “…I write to you, so that you may not sin” 4

5.  God hates sin! Isa. 1:6; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rom. 6:1-2  Cannot set our moral lives on cruise control and fulfill the lusts of the flesh.  Cannot use God’s grace as an excuse to be casual about sin.  Temptation is an ever-present reality and we must make every effort daily to overcome it. 5

6.  “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”  Something holy is pure and sinless; it meets God’s standard.  Formerly we were unholy as our conduct conformed to our own “lusts”: 1 Pet. 1:14 6

7.  Three good reasons to strive for holy lives:  Continue enjoying fellowship with God: 1 Pet. 1:15-16; 1 Jn. 1:6  Because judgment is coming: 1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Pet. 3:10-11  In consideration of the great price paid to make us holy: 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Cor. 6:20 7

8.  Never forget God has called us to live holy lives: 1 Thess. 4:7; 4:5  Christ blood essential; but we also play a role: 2 Cor. 1:7; Eph. 1:7; 1 Jn. 3:3  We have the personal responsibility to put forth this effort daily: Lk. 9:23 8

9.  We shouldn’t continue in sin! Rom. 6:1-4  When we obey the gospel the part of us that enjoyed sin is “crucified”: Rom. 6:6  Attitude adjustment: Rom. 6:11  No longer allow sin to go unchecked: Rom. 6:12  Must jealously guard our souls: Rom. 6:13  Must actively strive to overcome sin: Rom. 6:14 9

10.  Our life is hidden in Christ: Col. 3:3  Our life now belongs to Christ to do His will: Gal. 5:24  Thus, must kill the old man! Col. 3:5  Strive to overcome sin: Rom. 6:14  Must consider ourselves unable to engage in sin: 1 Jn. 3:9 10

11.  Involves a 180 o change in thinking and living: Eph. 4:23  This battle takes place in the heart and mind: Eph. 6:12-13; 2 Cor. 10:3-5  Paul mentions very specific sins we must put away: Eph. 4:25-5:17  Change in way think is the first requirement: Prov. 27:3; Matt. 15:16-20  We’ve already wasted too much of our lives pursuing sin: 1 Pet. 4:1-3 11

12.  Without grace salvation impossible, but His grace teaches us not to take sin lightly: Rom. 6:15  Grace means we do nothing? NO! Titus 2:11-12  Want a prescription for overcoming sin?! Titus 2:12 There’s no silver bullet! 12

13.  Self-denial the key. Just say no!  Is a prerequisite to being a disciple: Matt. 16:24  Is a fruit of the Spirit: Gal. 5:23  Requires “diligence”: 2 Pet. 1:6, 9  Is one qualification of an elder: Titus 1:8  “disqualified” without it: 1 Cor. 9:24-27  Want a strategy?! Just say “NO!” 2 Pet. 1:5-6; Prov. 16:32b There’s no silver bullet! 13

14.  Sin is enslaving so we can never call for a “cease fire”: 1 Cor. 6:12; 1 Thess. 5:22  Remember Cain and Abel? Gen. 4:5-7  Sin’s desire is to control us, but it’s our decision to open the door!  Battle is self versus sin; rule it or it will rule us; no middle ground! 14

15.  Temporal: Rom. 1:28  Often cannot be overcome: Matt. 19:9  Always reap what is sown: Gal. 6:7-8  Eternal: Rom. 6:23; Heb. 10:26-31;  If Paul in danger, so am I: 1 Cor. 9:24-27  Awfulness of hell vividly shows our need to overcome sin: Rev. 20:14-15; Mk. 9:42ff 15

16.  We must ask for guidance in finding the “way of escape”: Matt. 6:13  Strategies:  Use Scripture: Matt. 4:4, 7, 10  Literally flee: Gen. 39:12  Practice! Heb. 5:14  What power is available to us? Eph. 1:15-23; 3:20 16

17.  Sin cannot be dismissed, ignored, tolerated, excused, or rationalized.  God expects us to become a new creature: 2 Cor. 5:17; Rom. 6:4  New creature is characterized by purity, righteousness and holiness; not continuance in sin.  It is essential we put forth the daily effort to overcome sin! Rom. 7:13 17