life dominating sin

©2020 dan bulkley | ask@lifechurchco.com

life dominating sin

key principle: romans 8:26-39

romans 8:26-39

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s love is so magnificent, greater than we can practically comprehend. Does your sin separate you from God’s love? Does God’s love leave you to wallow in your sin titus 2:11-14 ?

supporting scriptures

titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

key principle: ii peter 1:9

ii peter 1:9

For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Have you forgotten what you are, as opposed to what you once WERE ii corinthians 6:9-12 ? You are a child of God romans 8:1-15 . He is working in you so embrace His work and boldly go forward to obey in His grace not afraid of failing. If/when you fail: pick up your cross again and follow Him i john 1:9 .

my notes:

i corinthians 6:9-12

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

romans 8:1-15

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

i john 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

key principle: galatians 1:10

galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Who or what are you wanting to change for? Yourself? Your family? Your health? Your money? If you do not want to change to please the Lord all the other motivations will not be enough. Learn to love Christ and you will be changed i john 5:3 . Walk in obedience even if you do not feel like it and you will learn to love God romans 12:1-2 .

supporting scriptures

i john 5:3

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

my notes:

romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

key principle: james 1:13-16

james 1:13-16

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Why are you being conquered by this sin? Whose fault is it? Who do you blame for this sin being in your life genesis 3:11-19 : God proverbs 19:3 , Satan, james 4:7 Others ezekiel 18:20 matthew 7:1-5 ? Acknowledge your sin, stop hiding it proverbs 28:13 and the Lord will cure you of your backsliding jeremiah 3:13-14 ,22 . This sin is from your heart, battle where the temptation begins, in the heart rather than at the point of decision proverbs 4:23 . Prepare your mind for action i peter 1:13

my notes:

supporting scriptures

genesis 3:11-19

He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.

15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

17 And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

my notes:

proverbs 19:3

When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin,

his heart rages against the Lord.

james 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

ezekiel 18:20

The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.

matthew 7:1-5

“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

my notes:

jeremiah 3:13-14

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,

but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,

but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

jeremiah 3:22

“Return, O faithless sons;

I will heal your faithlessness.”

“Behold, we come to you,

for you are the Lord our God.

proverbs 4:23

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

i peter 1:13

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

my notes:

key principle: colossians 3:1-8

colossians 3:1-8

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Think about your standing before the Lord and the eternal consequences of such sin. Is Christ really your life? If not, what could that indicate about your eternal future i john 2:3-6 ? Cry out to the Lord romans 10:13 ! Even for the believer, our current sin reminds us that we still need our Savior!

supporting scriptures

i john 2:3-6

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

romans 10:13

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

key principle: james 4:6-10

james 4:6-10

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Humble yourself knowing you can’t beat this sin your way, it is only through God’s way that you can overcome the attacks of Satan and temptation and have a heart change not just a behavioral change. Take this to heart because it was on account of such struggles Christ had to die for you hebrews 10:29 .

supporting scriptures

hebrews 10:29

How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

my notes:

key principle: james 1:21-25

james 1:21-25

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Don’t lie to yourself, if you are not doing what the Word says then you ARE NOT OBEYING…At the very least, be honest with yourself about yourself jeremiah 2:19-25 i john 1:8 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

jeremiah 2:19-25

Your evil will chastise you, and your apostasy will reprove you. Know and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God; the fear of me is not in you, declares the Lord God of hosts.

20 “For long ago I broke your yoke and burst your bonds; but you said, I will not serve.’ Yes, on every high hill and under every green tree you bowed down like a whore.

21 Yet I planted you a choice vine, wholly of pure seed. How then have you turned degenerate and become a wild vine?

22 Though you wash yourself with lye and use much soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me, declares the Lord God.

23 How can you say, ‘I am not unclean, I have not gone after the Baals’? Look at your way in the valley; know what you have done—a restless young camel running here and there,

24 a wild donkey used to the wilderness, in her heat sniffing the wind! Who can restrain her lust? None who seek her need weary themselves; in her month they will find her.

25 Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.’

i john 1:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

my notes:

key principle: psalm 66:18

psalm 66:18

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

Don’t play games with God, He knows your heart. If you pray dishonestly what help do you think God will give ezekiel 14:3-8 ? He will not honor any deceptive request for help. Tell Him what is in your heart psalm 62:8 , even if it your heart wants what is wrong, tell Him. Pray continuously and beg fervently for His help to change your heart matthew 26:41 mark 9:23-24 .

supporting scriptures

ezekiel 14:3-8

“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them? 4 Therefore speak to them and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Any one of the house of Israel who takes his idols into his heart and sets the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to the prophet, I the Lord will answer him as he comes with the multitude of his idols, 5 that I may lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel, who are all estranged from me through their idols.

6 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn away your faces from all your abominations. 7 For any one of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn in Israel, who separates himself from me, taking his idols into his heart and putting the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and yet comes to a prophet to consult me through him, I the Lord will answer him myself. 8 And I will set my face against that man; I will make him a sign and a byword and cut him off from the midst of my people, and you shall know that I am the Lord.

psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

matthew 26:41

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

mark 9:23-24

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

key principle: i corinthians 10:13

i corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Believe God has provided a way of escape for you. Look for the way of escape, persevere and take the way of escape. DON’T GIVE IN! The fight to resist may be a hard one, but remember Christ fought harder than you to resist temptation and there is a way out of your temptation so you don’t have to give in hebrews 12:4 .

supporting scriptures

hebrews 12:4

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

key principle: luke 4:1-13

luke 4:1-13

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”

You should confront the temptations and self-justifying arguments your heart and Satan put forth about your sin with the Scriptures that tell you what you ought to do. You must respond obediently to God’s voice spoken from His Word in the conviction of your spirit isaiah 30:21 .

supporting scriptures

isaiah 30:21

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

key principle: romans 12:1-2

romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Sacrifice your temptations to the Lord as an act of worship; offer up what you desire that is contrary to God’s desires in love for Him ii samuel 24:24 .

supporting scriptures

ii samuel 24:24

But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

key principle: ephesians 4:22-24

ephesians 4:22-24

to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Put off the habit of sin and put on a new habit of righteousness, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. All the while plead with God to change your heart, believing He will do so and not being satisfied with any changed behavior until your attitude is also right.

my notes:

key principle: hebrews 12:1-4, mark 9:43-48

hebrews 12:1-4

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

mark 9:43-48

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

Cut out any and every venue that allows you to fulfill that evil desire, be self-controlled by planning ahead to avoid that sin proverbs 22:3 .

supporting scriptures

proverbs 22:3

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

but the simple go on and suffer for it.

key principle: james 5:14-15

james 5:14-15

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Ask the Elders of your church to pray over you and for your weakness.

key principle: james 5:16

james 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Confess your sin to those who you have sinned against and to those who could appropriately encourage you in righteousness.

my notes:

key principle: ephesians 6:10-18

ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...

Put on the Armor of God

belt of truth

Be honest with yourself and others, wisely assess yourself.

my notes:

breastplate of righteousness

Seek to serve others at the very times you know your temptations are most prevalent.

my notes:

the shoes of the gospel of peace

Dwell on the principles of the Gospel; remember what the cost of your salvation is and the difference it makes in your life. Meditate on the benefits of Jesus by intentionally sharing those benefits with others so that you may better understand and desire it philemon 6 .

philemon 6

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

my notes:

key principle: shield of faith

Even when you feel like you can’t, trust that God can and will. “Faith is conducting yourself as if God’s promise is already so when it is not yet so, anticipating that God will make it so” -Manly Beasley romans 4:17 .

romans 4:17

as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

my notes:

helmet of salvation

Have an eternal perspective for joy in your relationship with the Lord not a worldly, temporal expectation of happy circumstances.

my notes:

sword of the spirit

Read, Study, Memorize, Meditate and Practice the WORD!

my notes:

prayer

Keep talking with God openly and honestly describing your temptation and asking for help in your need.

my notes:

key principle–philippians 4:9

philippians 4:9

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Practice is repeating and repeating even if you fail until it becomes second nature. Practice until you get it right and then practice until you can’t get it wrong. Keep getting better in righteousness by continuously repeating everything it takes to change.

NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE UP!