Identifying & Defeating Sin As An Enemy

2. The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul Identifying & Defeating Sin As An Enemy

3. The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul The Great Battle For The Soul Lesson #3 Ù Defeating Sin Through REPENTANCE

4. Repentance is action taken NOW to affect the FUTURE because of what happened in the PAST.

5. Repentance is action taken NOW to affect the FUTURE because of what happened in the PAST.

6. Repentance is action taken NOW to affect the FUTURE because of what happened in the PAST.

7. Repentance is action taken NOW to affect the FUTURE because of what happened in the PAST.

8. Dismissing Carnal (Worldly) Views • Some have an empty, “ritualistic” view about repentance • Such people usually do what is normally or “traditionally done” when sin is committed • Indicated in Joel 2:12-13 • Indicated in Isa 58:1-7 cp. 1:11-14

9. Dismissing Carnal (Worldly) Views • Some have an empty, “ritualistic” view about repentance • Such people usually do what is normally or “traditionally done” when sin is committed • Modern-day Application Ù“Going Forward” • A phrase we may use “magically” or “mystically” • Such must not become “ritualistic”

10. Dismissing Carnal (Worldly) Views • Simply being sorry cp. 2 Cor 7:7-9a • This is not real repentance • The challenge is not in producing repentance but in producing the rightkind of sorrow • The context presents 2 kinds of sorrow… worldly sorrow vs. godly sorrow

11. Dismissing Carnal (Worldly) Views • Simply being sorry cp. 2 Cor 7:7-9a • Worldly sorrow is only concerned with getting caught and suffering consequences now • Sin has consequences with God whether we suffer here & now or not • We must dig deeper than mere sorrow cp. Mt 27:3-5 1 Sam 24

12. Accepting Biblical Views • Repentance comes from godly sorrow • Taught by Paul 2 Cor 7:9b-11 • No room for apathy, indifference…notice the statements Paul uses to describe the Corinthians and their changes v. 11 • Godly sorrow is produced internally…outward actions (repentance) will surely follow

13. Accepting Biblical Views • Repentance realizes sin’s ugliness • Evidenced by David 2 Sam 12:5-6, 7, 13 • Too often, we are quick to show indignation at others’ sins while being totally oblivious to our own failures • We must be made to see where we have sinned against God

14. Accepting Biblical Views • Repentance leads to full confession • We won’t have to be prodded, poked along • David didn’t blame a naked Bathsheba Psa 51:1-4a 2 Sam 12:13 • This is what set David apart from Saul • This will rule out such confessions like “If I have sinned…”

15. Accepting Biblical Views • Repentance ultimately shows itself in changed behavior Mt 3:8 • When our inner resolve is changed, our conduct will follow • If actions are not “suitable”…no repentance • If possible, restitution is made cp. Acts 16:33

16. Conclusion • Remember…Faith is God’s answer for the LOVE of sin • Repentance is God’s answer for the PRACTICE of sin • God knows the eventual outcome of practicing sin…death Rom 6:23

17. Conclusion • I will repent… • …not because I don’t want to suffer physical consequences here & now • …not because I don’t want to suffer God’s wrath, punishment • …because I don’t want to hurt Him

18. Conclusion • The fact that God commands us to repent is indicative of the gospel’s good news • We have the chance to made amends, start over and do better • God’s grace, goodness is giving us another chance cp. Rom 2:4 2 Sam 12:7-8

19. Conclusion • Must we repent? Lk 13:3, 5 • It may be extremely painful, challenging • It is a necessary step if we do not want to perish eternally • This tells us just how important it is in The Great Battle For The Soul

20. Conclusion • We can be washed from our sins Acts 22:16 • We will never be totally through with sin 1 Jn 1:8 1 Pet 5:8 • Repentance is the fight we’ll keep having in this battle for our souls