Dr. Charles Stanley Study for Christ Follows – Struggling with Sin?

Warmup Question:  What is the most difficult thing you have ever done?

Romans 7:14-25 NLT  ‘So, the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.
Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” 

Scriptural Questions:  What is the trouble with sin?, Is it me or the law?, What is my sin nature (Galatians 5:19-21)?, What is the power within us that makes us a slave to sin?, Are evil spirits malevolent, supernatural beings (Ephesians 6:12)?, Can God use evil to achieve His purposes (Romans 8:22)?, Can anything save me from the failure to keep God’s commands?

Podcast from Dr Charles Stanley, In Touch Ministries

Victory is God’s will for the life of a believer. But sometimes we can find ourselves repeatedly falling into the same sin. If we want to do what is right, why do we continue to miss the mark?

One reason is incomplete repentance

It is possible for us to experience grief, embarrassment, and shame over sin without being truly repentant. 

Repentance isn’t a matter of weeping or feeling guilty; rather, it’s a change of mind about sin so that we no longer hold on to our own perspective but instead agree with God’s viewpoint. When we do this, the heart turns in the opposite direction from persistent wrongdoing.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT  “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

The second reason for failure is an inadequate view of our identity in the Lord

We, as children of God, have Christ living within us. When we grasp this truth, we will recognize that sin does not fit who we are, and we’ll stop rationalizing our offenses.

Our genuine repentance is based upon an honest and biblical understanding of our identity. When we put these two truths together, we create a powerful tool against temptation. 

Our Father wants us to be victorious, and we triumph when we remember that Jesus Christ is the source of our life.

Question of the Heart:  Since we know that God wants victory in the lives of believers, where have you noticed a victory engineered by Him in your life.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell “this people” about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!

Articles:

The Beatitudes 

Christ Follower Struggling with Sin 

Disciple Lesson 2  – The Beatitudes

  What can we learn by asking ourselves questions?

   The Beatitudes are a collection of statements made by Christ at his Sermon on the Mount. They pertain to a person with certain character traits needed to be a renowned citizen in the Kingdom of God. Are we a person of such character as the below blessings?

Matthew 5:1-2  “‘Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

Matthew 5:3   “Blessed are the poor in spirit”

   Do you know yourself to be a humble sinner before God, without pride and in desperate need of His saving grace? If yes, then you are poor in spirit and just who the Father wants.

Matthew 5:4  ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.’

Do you truly mourn your own sinful condition? Is your repentance of the type that results in a deep spiritual sorrow, prompting the earnest seeking of God’s forgiveness? God will provide the comfort of the “Comforter” himself, the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:5  ‘Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.’

   Have you assumed a character of gentleness of spirit, love and genuine humility toward God the Father and others? Meekness can only be seen from the perspective of God, not man. God’s reward is “spiritual prosperity” or “blessing”, not necessarily earthly happiness.

Matthew 5:6  ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.’

   Do you find yourself continually “seeking first the Kingdom of God” and “always placing faith in Jesus Christ”, in order to attain righteousness with Him. God grants a deeply satisfied, spiritually complete soul for the effort. 

Matthew 5:7  ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.’

   Are you able to show forgiveness and compassion to those in need, regardless of circumstances? Does the phrase, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”, ring a bell? If we want mercy, we must show mercy.

Matthew 5:8  ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’

      Do you consider your heart to be clean? Is cleansing by fire and the Holy Spirit the best way to attain purity? Have you been Baptized? We must give our hearts to Jesus and ask for him to do the cleansing for us.

Matthew 5:9  ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’

   Do you have the peace that comes from knowing God? Do you take it to others? Only children of God can take the peace of knowing God to others. There is peace between God and sinners because Jesus died for that condition.

Matthew 5:10  ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.’

   Have you ever been persecuted? Persecution is suffering because of our striving for righteousness. Orient your life toward God and his will. You can know that you are on the right path if you are being persecuted.

Matthew 5:11  ‘Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’

   When attempting to verify the true meaning of scripture, one needs to pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit, compare the research of Bible scholars, or ask other believers (such as SendUsLord.com comments section) Every reader should “dive deeper” into God’s Word as a life-long goal. Spiritual maturity is the reward. God desires to make His Word known toe everyone.

Please go to: “Contact Us” and 1) Ask me any question, 2) Leave your valuable comments, and/or 3) Request prayer.

Let’s go forth and tell the people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Let’s go forth and build up the Kingdom of God according to His Word.  Let’s go!