Dealing with Sin
Mark 7:21-23 - "He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean. ’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean ’” (NIV).
Romans 1:28-32 - "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God- haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (NIV).
Galatians 5:19-21 - "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God" (NIV).
Ephesians 5:3-7 - "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater –has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them" (NIV).
Categories of Sin
Sexual immorality - including lust, pornography, adultery, perversion, masturbation, homosexuality, fornication
Idolatry - including false religions, witchcraft, cults, the occult, self-idolatry.
Lawlessness - including theft, drunkenness, brawling/fighting, doing drugs, law-breaking, rebellion to authority, causing strife/division.
Control Issues - including over-eating, anorexia / bulimia, excessive exercise, self-harm, suicide – attempted or thoughts about it
Communication - including slander, unwholesome talk, obscenity – even non-Christians know what a swear word is; foolish talk – communication that lacks wisdom, coarse joking; liars; gossip, complaining, criticizing people, sinning in mental communication
Other - wrong attitudes; bitterness – result of a lack of forgiveness; rage – an expression of a deep sense of anger (i.e. acting out violently); anger (expressed or stored in the mind); malice – desire for bad things to happen to another person; rebellious; mental rebellion (passive aggressive); abortion; ungodliness, unholiness.
We can be like an onion. There are layers to our character that God wants to penetrate and bring His purity into. God deals with us a layer at a time. How do we know where we have sinned exactly? We ask God to remind us of anything in our lives, past or present, that is not pleasing to Him. As we read the lists of sins in Scripture, the Holy Spirit can convict us of our choices to rebel against Him. As we wait on God in prayer, we also are reminded of the sin that God wants us to deal with. We are only called to repent of sin that has been revealed to us. Don't begin a quest to purify yourself. Only ask God to reveal sin in your life. Then, respond through repentance to what He shows you.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Romans 2:4 - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance" (NIV)?
Romans 1:28-32 - "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God- haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them" (NIV).
Galatians 5:19-21 - "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God" (NIV).
Ephesians 5:3-7 - "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater –has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them" (NIV).
Categories of Sin
Sexual immorality - including lust, pornography, adultery, perversion, masturbation, homosexuality, fornication
Idolatry - including false religions, witchcraft, cults, the occult, self-idolatry.
Lawlessness - including theft, drunkenness, brawling/fighting, doing drugs, law-breaking, rebellion to authority, causing strife/division.
Control Issues - including over-eating, anorexia / bulimia, excessive exercise, self-harm, suicide – attempted or thoughts about it
Communication - including slander, unwholesome talk, obscenity – even non-Christians know what a swear word is; foolish talk – communication that lacks wisdom, coarse joking; liars; gossip, complaining, criticizing people, sinning in mental communication
Other - wrong attitudes; bitterness – result of a lack of forgiveness; rage – an expression of a deep sense of anger (i.e. acting out violently); anger (expressed or stored in the mind); malice – desire for bad things to happen to another person; rebellious; mental rebellion (passive aggressive); abortion; ungodliness, unholiness.
We can be like an onion. There are layers to our character that God wants to penetrate and bring His purity into. God deals with us a layer at a time. How do we know where we have sinned exactly? We ask God to remind us of anything in our lives, past or present, that is not pleasing to Him. As we read the lists of sins in Scripture, the Holy Spirit can convict us of our choices to rebel against Him. As we wait on God in prayer, we also are reminded of the sin that God wants us to deal with. We are only called to repent of sin that has been revealed to us. Don't begin a quest to purify yourself. Only ask God to reveal sin in your life. Then, respond through repentance to what He shows you.
For More Study
- Exodus 20:1-21
- Romans 1:18-32
- Galatians 5
- Ephesians 4:17 - 5:21
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Take some time to read through the Scriptures that list out the different sins. Ask God to remind you of sins you have committed that you have never repented of. Remember - we can choose to sin in our thoughts and attitudes. It is not always so obvious. So, take your time and allow God to reveal areas of sin in your life.
- As God points out areas of sin in your life, cry out for His mercy on your life. Speak out, "I repent of ___________. I will never go back to this sin again." Ask for the Holy Spirit's power to walk in freedom from that sin.
- Make sure you are specific in your repentance. When we are vague and general in dealing with sin, we are giving ourselves an excuse to keep sinning. Name the specific sin and take full responsibility for it. Acknowledge that you have been rebellious against God in your choice to sin.
Memorization
Romans 2:4 - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance" (NIV)?
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