PureMen Bible Study Session 16 2/16/11. Something To Thank the Lord For? Recite Memory Verse (1 Peter 5:8)

Transcription

1 PureMen Bible Study Session 16 2/16/11 Something To Thank the Lord For? Recite Memory Verse (1 Peter 5:8) Review Study Questions from Chapter Fifteen Overcoming Lust Question #1: What is required if the mind becomes corrupted with lust? It will require some sacrificial severing to repair the damage! Lust will not just disappear. The man who is serious about walking in purity must take some drastic measures! Matthew 5: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Q: What are some examples of sacrificial severing that you have done in your environment (home, work, etc.) as a result of this study? Q: What can one do to maintain a spiritually clean environment in the home? Question #2: What does the spirit of this world create? Spiritual atmospheres conducive to lust. Q: What are some ways the spirit of this world can create an atmosphere conducive to sexual lust right in the home? Page 1

2 p. 243 For men involved in sexual perversion, there must be a constant awareness of the atmospheres which tend to provoke sexual lust. For instance, it is not advisable for a sex addict to go to the beach or spend time browsing at a magazine rack. One must be sensitive to any place which has a sensuous ambience where seducing spirits lurk. p. 244 The person who is going to get the victory over lust must do everything within his power to minimize the enemy s ability to affect him spiritually! Sober; Vigilant, I will set no wicked thing before my eyes! I made a covenant with mine eyes Passionate about Purity! Question #6: What is hellish living? Lustful living is hellish living. Lust is demanding and never satisfied. The more one feeds the beast, the more ravenous it becomes. Could anyone relate to the poison ivy illustration? Scratching the itch may give a brief moment of satisfaction but the moment you stop, the itch starts again, demanding your attention. To not scratch it makes you feel like you might go insane! Question #7: How does one climb right out of the pit? Retrace your steps. Start climbing! Step by step, not looking back! Question #8: What s the message behind lust? I WANT! I WANT! I WANT! Q: What quenches the fires of lust? Gratitude! A thankful spirit destroys the driving passion for sin because it creates contentment within the man s heart. It soothes the beast, smothers the flames, and medicates the itch. Q: What is the feeling lodged within a grateful heart? (Question #9) Look at all I have! Thank you Lord for all that you have done for me and given me. I don t need anything else. A grateful heart is a full heart. When a person is content with life, he will not be driven by lust for what he should not have! (p. 245) Question #10: Which of the boys could you relate more to Johnny or Juan, explain your answer. Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. Question #12: Briefly explain in your own words the two basic things one can do to develop a grateful spirit or an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE? Page 2

3 a. Repent of complaining quit being ungrateful, stop grumbling, get rid of self-pity, stop being demanding and selfish. b. Learn to start expressing gratitude: make lists, send thank you notes, contemplate your blessings. c. Consider Doing the 30 Things We Appreciate About Our Pastor (time permitting) Question #13: What must a man do if he if he is going to be cleansed on the inside? Give! He must take less and give more! This one word (give) describes the fundamental nature of God. It is used 2000 times in Scripture. Giving shows what it means to be godly. Q: How can we give of ourselves? Go out and meet the needs of others. Start seeing people as God sees them. o As you do this, the Lord s compassion will begin to grow within you. A gradual change will begin to take place in your heart. o Rather than seeing people as objects to use for your own selfish purposes, you will begin to see them as people with problems, struggles, and hurts. o You will begin to invest your life in theirs for their good. o This is the normal Christian life! o Anyone can claim to be a follower of Christ, but those who truly have the Spirit of God within them will eventually be compelled to love other people. o James put it this way: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27) o Jesus put it this way: 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Phil 2:3-4) Question #15: What are some ideas you might have about how you can get involved in helping others? This class is a direct result of this study! Neighborly acts, Mexico boxes, nursing home visits, assist elderly, discipleship, etc. Summit Stretch Challenge #2 Give of yourself to help somebody this week! Page 3

4 In summary, OVERCOMING LUST is accomplished by: 1. Amputating (Mat 5:27-30) Sacrificially cutting, removing, building hedges, etc. 2. Repenting Grumbling, Complaining, Self Pit 3. Developing Gratitude / Thankfulness 4. Becoming a Giver Giver of self to focus on others! Comment of Next Chapter How to Become a Great Lover (A Word to Married Men) Testimonies? Close in PRAYER! Page 4

5 I. Amputation a. Matthew 5:27-30: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. b. The man who is serious about walking in purity must take some drastic measures. He needs to sacrificially cut and remove those things which have caused his mind to become corrupted. i. TV, Internet, relationships, etc. c. Build hedges! Know your triggers. Take necessary action to eliminate or minimize situations that are conducive to lust. Have a plan of action for you to take when those thoughts and feelings of lust first enter your mind. d. Claim the truth and promises of Scripture! i. Constantly review the Summit Stretch Memory verses (and others that are of particular help to your walk of purity!) II. Repentance OVERCOMING LUST! a. Repent of complaining, self-pity, and from being demanding and selfish in life. III. Developing an Attitude of Gratitude a. Gratitude quenches the fires of lust! b. Gratitude develops contentment within your heart. c. The message of lust I want, I want, I want!. d. The message of gratitude Look at all I have! Thank you Lord! e. When a person is content with life, he will not be driven by the lust for what he should not have. f. Gratitude must be encouraged and nurtured in our lives we must make thankfulness a priority. i. Learn to start expressing gratitude. 1. Regularly thank the Lord for all He has done. 2. Make gratitude lists. Page 5

6 IV. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2:3 Become a Giver! a. Don t be satisfied with an outer cleansing be concerned with the true condition of your heart. b. Become a giver by focusing on serving others i. Take less and give more. ii. Allow mercy, love, and compassion to become the hallmark of your life. 1. In its simplest terms, love means to give of oneself. 2. Become a prayer warrior for others, interceding on their behalf. This helps to transform our hearts helping us to become a giver of our hearts instead of a taker. This inside-out transformation is absolutely necessary for the one looking for lasting change and victory. 3. Go out and meet the needs of others. Be a blessing! Find a need and fill it. Derived from Ch. 15: Overcoming Lust, At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry, Steve Gallagher Page 6