Hello again, friend, glad to study with you today. For the next few lessons, we will look at practical ways of warring against our flesh, for this is a battle we are in for life.
The lessons will be in the following order: asking for help, abiding in Christ, believing God’s Word, overcoming bitterness, preparing to suffer.
During my time in gluttony and laziness, I was hardened by sin’s deceitfulness (Hebrews 3:13), prideful, and would not take correction easily. For example, when my pastor would correct me, I would want to argue, defend myself, make accusations, or if those tactics didn’t work, I would try to avoid him.
“Mockers resent correction, so they avoid the wise.” Proverbs 15:12 (NIV)
My sin persisted until I realized that I was arguing against my own freedom by arguing with people who were trying to help me. I still remember the day I said to my pastor, “Pastor Will, I’m done arguing against your counsel, done defending myself and making accusations. I’m sorry for being difficult; I’m ready to listen and follow your biblical counsel now.” This surrender was hard and humbling, but humility is a prerequisite to freedom.
Question 1. Have you humbled yourself to ask for help from a pastor, elder, teacher, Christian friend, or family member? Please share.
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
While it’s true that, in our battle for freedom, only Jesus can set us free because no man can change the heart of another, or open blind eyes; yet, it is also true that God uses people in the process of restoring. Only Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead, but He called others to unbind Lazarus (John 11:44) to free him from his grave clothes.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 (NIV)