RECOGNIZING THE SINS OF THE FLESH

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2 L E S S O N 1 4 RECOGNIZING THE SINS OF THE FLESH We live in a very self-centered and materialistic world. Most people are primarily interested in having pleasure, fun, and money. They think success means being able to buy the things they believe are necessary to enjoy life. The problem is that there will always be something new to buy or some new way to get fun and excitement. Most people live by their feelings and their impulses. Sins such as drunkenness, immorality, drug abuse, and viewing pornography are the natural result of an uncurbed, unconfronted desire for excitement and pleasure that feeds our flesh. The sins of the flesh that we studied in our last lesson are common to the human race. Why do human beings tend to be this way? Part of it is simply because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam. Adam s sinfulness passed down to his descendents from generation to generation, and we have to face this natural tendency to give in to temptations to do wrong. Because of our sinful inclination toward pride, for example, we are tempted to compare ourselves with others. We become jealous of what others have and want to have the same things. We want the approval of people, so we go along with wrongdoing in order to be accepted. We might be afraid to stand against wrongdoing if doing so will risk popularity. What Proverbs Says About Some Sins Of The Flesh Some of the sins of the flesh that Proverbs discusses are listed in the following section. For each of them, Proverbs explains the problem and then gives a warning about the consequences of each sin if it should become a part of your life. Drunkenness According to Proverbs 20:1, what are three results of being controlled by alcohol? 111

3 What are six effects of drunkenness, according to Proverbs 23:29-32? Immorality What must we always remember about secret sins such as immorality, according to Proverbs 5:21-22? What does Proverbs 6:32 say about someone who acts immorally? Strife What does God say will be the result for those who stir up strife, according to Proverbs 17:19 and 25:8? _ Lying What is God s attitude toward liars according to Proverbs 12:22 and 19:5? _ Living for Our Own Satisfaction According to Proverbs 1:24-28, what three things will God do to those who live for their own satisfaction? 112

4 The Sons Of Eli We cannot depend on the merits of our own parents to help us obtain favor with God. Parents ought to live godly and spiritual lives, but you will not have God s blessing on your life just because of the way your parents have lived. By grace, through faith, we must choose to live godly lives ourselves in order to please God. Eli was a godly priest in the temple of God, but his sons were not godly. Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17 and Answer the following questions about Eli and his sons: According to verses 12 and 17, how did the sons of Eli live? According to verses 23-25, what did Eli ask his sons? What warning did he give them? How did they respond to their father and to the Lord? According to verse 34, what did God tell Eli would happen to his sons? According to verses 30-31, what promise was God carrying out because the sons had not honored Him? 113

5 God Rewards Works Of The Spirit And The Flesh According to Luke 12:42-48, the wise servant received a reward for his faithfulness, and the unwise servant received a reward for how he had lived according to the flesh. Servant How Did He Live? What Was His Reward? Wise Unwise Let s Review And Examine Ourselves Look carefully over the lists of the works of the flesh that you made in Lesson 13. Every one of us has particular problems with the flesh. Which problems are the biggest for you? List the main problems that you think you should deal with first and explain specifically why they are problems for you. How do these problems usually come to the surface in your life? This study will help you to recognize them when they appear in your life the next time. Problem How It Shows Itself in My Life 114

6 In our next lesson, we will begin to study how we can overcome our problems by walking in the Spirit so that we produce the fruit of the Spirit. But for now, we need to begin to recognize them for what they are and understand how very important these concerns are to God. He wants our lives to be satisfied and blessed, but we will not be blessed if we are walking in the sinfulness of the flesh. Teacher s Lesson Type of Sin Effect on My Life Drunkenness Immorality Strife Lying Self-centeredness Licensed for use during the school year, subject to the end user license agreement. All rights reserved. 115