1. Do Not Imitate Evil 3 John 9-12

2. Temptations to Sin are Strong Overcome temptations in Christ Way of escape, 1 Corinthians 10:13 Divine assistance, Hebrews 2:18 Prize through endurance, James 1:12 God delivers the godly, 2 Peter 2:9 2

3. Worldliness Given over to the things that oppose God, 1 John 2:15 Christ saves us from the world, Galatians 1:4; 6:14 Put off things of the world, Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:16-17 What we choose to imitate either shields us or exposes us to sin, Matthew 6:13 3

4. Do Not Imitate Evil Fleshly lusts, 1 Peter 2:11-12; 4:1-5 Heart must be changed, Matthew 5:28 Renew your mind, Romans 12:2 Popular sins, Exodus 23:2 “Everybody’s doing it” 4 3 John 11

5. Do Not Imitate Evil Popular Sins… Evil language, Ephesians 4:29 Profanity, lying, gossip, euphemisms… Drinking intoxicants, Proverbs 20:1; 23:29-32; 1 Peter 4:3 Moderate use impedes good judgment, self-control, godly influence 5 3 John 11

6. Do Not Imitate Evil Popular Sins… Lasciviousness, Romans 13:13; 2 Peter 2:18-19 Unbridled lust, excess, shamelessness Examples: Modern dancing, physical contact leading to fornication Living in God’s grace does not condone and excuse this sin, Jude 4 6 3 John 11

7. Do Not Imitate Evil Popular Sins… False worship, Deuteronomy 12:29-32 (John 4:24) Lip-service (“in spirit”), Matthew 15:8 Additions of men (“in truth”), Col. 2:20-23 Instrumental music in worship, Eph. 5:19 Lord Supper changes, Lk. 22:17-20; Acts 20:7 7 3 John 11

8. Do Not Imitate Evil Popular Sins… Following worldly examples, Deuteronomy 18:9 Evil ways are learned by contact with sin, 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not consent to be drawn into sin, Psalms 1:1-2; Proverbs 1:10 8 3 John 11

9. Imitate What is Good Who are your role models? 1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Thess. 1:6-7 Christ, the apostles, faithful Christians… 9 3 John 11- 12

10. Separate Yourself from Sin Worldly relations, practices and influences that will compromise your faith, 2 Cor. 6:14, 17; Ephesians 5:11 Do not imitate evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11 “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matt. 6:13 It can be done! James 1:12 10 3 John 11- 12