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Ruling Your Spirit Against Lust: Fighting the Battle Within

In this text, we are reminded that God cannot be tempted by evil, but we can be tempted by our own desires. We are encouraged to deny ourselves and rule our spirits to overcome lustful urges that war against our souls. This is a message of warning and a call to fight the temptations that lead to sin and destruction.

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Ruling Your Spirit Against Lust: Fighting the Battle Within

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  1. James 1:13-16

  2. James 1:13-16 (NKJV) 13  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16  Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

  3. Matthew 26:26-30 (NKJV) 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

  4. Today is the last Sunday of 2016 and we need to thank God for many things… many things. You know which ones, you know how many. Three Hundred and fifty eight days are already gone. Did you waste them, or use them wisely in 2016? Any regrets? Any losses? Any wins? Any promises? Any commitments You have the answer!

  5. If you think you need more doctrine or information …your are wrong. Doctrine is not the key here … you already know enough about right and wrong. Self-denial is key … ruling your spirit to hate lustful urges and thoughts against godliness.

  6. You are in a state of War!

  7. You Are at War! • It does not matter if you know it or believe it. • You have an enemy intent on your destruction. • If you are not fighting … then you are losing. • God commands you to fight … so get serious now. • The issue is soul life, or death … worse than dying

  8. 1 Peter 2:11 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

  9. Beloved It is a message and warning from one friend to another.

  10. “I beg you” God, by His word and His ambassador, is begging you this morning to consider.

  11. “As sojourners and pilgrims” Christians are citizens of a heavenly country, and called out of this world.

  12. “abstain from fleshly lusts ” What is a lust? It is a desire … a love … a need … an urge … a pressure … inside you!

  13. “To disobey God!

  14. To do things your way!

  15. To compromise truth!

  16. To cheat His rules!

  17. “which war” What is the war? Sin will take you down to be God’s enemy and live a worthless life.

  18. How do we fight it? Abstain! To keep or withhold oneself, to refrain. Don’t give up!

  19. 1 Peter 2:11 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

  20. Galatians 4:16 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

  21. What is a lust? It is a desire … a love … a need … an urge … a pressure … inside you!

  22. How do I know them? Any desire or urge inside you to disobey God and cheat the Bible’s rules, is a sinful lust.

  23. What if I do nothing? The desires and urges will become appetites to be fed … and then become habits you cannot break.

  24. What else about lusts? They are very strong. They feel like part of you. They seem to be natural. Denying them hurts.

  25. What else about lusts? You ruin godly goals. You forfeit Spirit power. You tempt God to judge. You are likely lost.

  26. Life Is Choices! Today can be your best day. Make your marriage the best. You can be happy and fulfilled. Bad habits are hard to beat. Your sin will find you out.

  27. What else about lusts? They are a result of depravity. You must rule your spirit inside. Both omission and commission. Lusts are totally against God. It is new man vs. old man.

  28. 1 John 2:15 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

  29. 1 John 2:16 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.

  30. 1 John 2:17 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

  31. What Are Lusts? • A desire, love, urge, need, pressure to do a thing. • Lust of the flesh = what your body wants to do. • Lust of the eyes = what you see that you want. • Pride of life = protect or promote you selfishly. • You are controlled by these three as soon as you have understanding.

  32. 1. Good for food … the lust of her flesh. 2. Pleasant to the eyes … lust of her eyes. 3. Possibly give wisdom … her pride of life. Genesis 3:6

  33. Consequences Died spiritually Marriage ruined Submission increased Guilt and shame Body death Resented God Go to hell

  34. 1. Neglected his duty … was not at battle. 2. Discontent with wives … got up at night. 3. Lust of eyes/flesh … looked and planned. 4. Pride of life … who is Uriah! I deserve her

  35. Consequences Ruined fellowship Lies and murder Caused blasphemy Guilt and shame His Son killed His Reputation

  36. Other Examples • Achan … gave in to urge to take and hide. Dead! • Amnon … gave into fantasies and sex. Dead! • Samson … liked exotic Philistine women. Dead! • Judas … a thief wanted a few more bucks. Dead! • Ananias … pretended more than he was. Dead!

  37. James 1:13 13  Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

  38. James 1:14-16 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

  39. Two Distractions Lusts are not the devil! Lusts are not the world!

  40. Get Real! Lusts war in Nunavut! Lusts war without devil!

  41. You Must Hate You! Don’t blame Hollywood! The devil did not make you do it! You did!

  42. Get Real! Lusts fight you in bed! Lusts fight you in church! Lusts fight you in prayer! Lusts fight all the time!

  43. If You Give In God offended and angry Worthless to others Your life is painful

  44. If You Win God happy and blesses Profitable to others Your life is joyful

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