Lesson 5 Reasons for Sin’s Slavery: That We Might Learn to War Against our Flesh
Question 1
Hello again and welcome back to the course. We have now come to the final day of our study on the biblical purposes for sin. As a reminder, we have been using the following as our outline:
Purposes of slavery to sin:
That we might experience grace.
That we might become broken and humbled.
That we might recognize our need to wash at the cross and walk by the Spirit.
That we might learn to war against our flesh.
As we think about the changes necessary to bring a person to freedom from habitual sin, it is an absolute miracle for anyone to turn away from sin and turn to God.
I look back on my time in sexual impurity and remember that I couldn’t wait to get to my hotel room for the night so that I could binge on porn. I thought about it throughout the day; I made plans not to be interrupted once I got there, and I was excited and had sweaty palms just thinking about it. I was also excited about a new illicit relationship that I was developing online.
Yet today, God is working in me a heart hatred for all that impurity. He is bringing the cross before my eyes so much and so often and showing me Jesus suffering in my place and dying my death. The cross has become so precious to me that I feel as though I died with Jesus that day!
Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
God has broken me so much over this sin by showing me the cross, that I don’t want anything more to do with it. If you could have seen how deeply I was involved in both pornography and sexual impurity, you'd know that God has performed a miracle in my heart, mind, and life. I want this for you too, this change of heart that comes at the cross.
Now don’t despair if porn still allures you, if you still have thoughts about some impure relationship you’ve had, or if you’re having impure dreams. The Bible assures us that this type of heart change will indeed happen, eventually, to all who come to believe and apply the gospel, and that the images and dreams fade over time (see Ezekiel 36:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 5:22-24).
Question 1. Do you believe that God can change your heart as you view the cross of Jesus Christ? Please share your thoughts.
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